http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18017591
Criss-crossing the Essex countryside in a Ford Focus cannot be described as an earth-shattering experience.
In fact, the cost to the planet is really rather small.
Little petrol is burnt by the car's tiny three-cylinder engine, and not much carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted either.
Yet, Ford's newest petrol engine is just as powerful as the engine it replaces, even though it is 30% lighter.
"The downsizing has actually achieved a carry over power, with a one-litre engine replacing a 1.6 litre engine," observes Tim Winstanley, Ford of Europe's powertrain manager.
"And we've managed to get a 15-20% fuel economy improvement."
Smaller and smaller engines are the way forward, Europe still leads the way in energy conservation!
OK it's not a solution in the long term, but it helps with the transition.