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UK and four other countries sign agreement to reduce greenhouse gasses
ZEV Alliance requires members to offer incentives for low-emissions cars
UK Government commits to improving alternative-fuel infrastructure
What?Car lists the six best hybrid cars you can buy today

By ROB HULL and SARAH BRADLEY FOR THISISMONEY.CO.UK

Updated: 05:45 EST, 14 December 2015

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The UK has reaffirmed its commitment to an agreement that all new cars sold by 2050 will be zero emissions vehicles.

The ZEV Alliance received the signatures of five countries and eight US states in total to continue to support zero emissions technology and promote the clean-up of vehicle-produced pollutants.

But with the pledge not due to come to fruition for 35 years, we've teamed up with WhatCar? to tell you which are the best hybrid cars you can buy today.

The UK plugs into the future: The Government has committed to selling nothing but zero emissions new cars by 2050 after reaffirming membership to ZEV Alliance at the recent climate change conference in Paris

Other countries pledging allegiance to the agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in the last week include Germany, Netherlands and Norway.

By signing the agreement, the Government has agreed to strive for all passenger vehicle sales in the UK to be zero emissions vehicles as soon as possible, with the 2050 date being the final deadline.

ZEV Alliance members also have to provide incentives to purchase zero emissions vehicles, and use policies such as tax breaks and government grants to promote cars producing no no emissions.

The UK will also be required to invest in an infrastructure to support both hydrogen and electric-powered cars.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: 'The UK already has the largest market for ultra-low emission vehicles in the EU, and the fourth largest in the world and today's pledge reaffirms our commitment to ensuring almost every car and van is a zero emission vehicle by 2050.

'Electric cars are greener and cheaper to run and we are making them more affordable, spending more than £600 million between 2015 and 2020 to support the uptake and manufacturing of ultra-low emission vehicles here in the UK.

'By leading international efforts on this issue, we are playing our part in helping achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions of more than 1 billion tonnes per year across the world by 2050.'

Almost 67,000 new alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) have been purchased so far in 2015 — already 20,000 sales ahead of last year's total

Alternative fuel vehicles — including full electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars but not standard hybrid vehicles — account for just three per cent of new car sales currently, according to November sales figures provided by the SMMT.

But according to the road test team at WhatCar?, there's more choice than ever on the conventional hybrid market.

Seen as a stepping stone from petrol and diesel cars to full-blown electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars, these are the models that you won't have to plug in to benefit from from reduced running costs.

Combining petrol or diesel power with batteries and electric motors but not requiring drivers to hunt for available charge points across the country, here are WhatCar?'s top hybrid contenders – and their pros and cons...

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Sitting in the 5 per cent company car tax band, and boasting 60mpg and 75g/km of CO2 emissions, Toyota's diminutive Yaris Hybrid supermini has low running costs and purchase prices to match.

The cabin is well built and, despite the car being three years old, its kit levels are very reasonable.

If you avoid costly Excel spec, as well as the larger-wheeled variants that take the edge off the Yaris's nimbleness, this model makes a lot of sense.

WhatCar? best buy: Yaris 1.5 VVT-I Hybrid Icon 5dr: £16,195

Toyota Auris Hybrid

Unlike the soon to be replaced Prius, the Auris is already looking fresh faced after being overhauled earlier in 2015.

There's plenty of space and refinement is good, though, as long as you don't rush things.

The Auris Hybrid Active's 1.8-litre petrol hybrid teamed with CVT officially achieves 78.5mpg and emits a mere 79g/km of CO2, making for a good company car if a little pricey as a private buy. And just remember, basic is best as far as extras go.

WhatCar? best buy: Auris 1.8 VVT-I Icon Hybrid: £21,095

Lexus RX450h

Named the JD Power satisfaction survey's top 4x4, with ultra-low emissions and super-silent electric running, the Lexus RX450h is one special SUV.

Add in great residuals, excellent refinement and impressive kit levels – base SE trim boasts keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers and xenon headlamps – and you can ignore the fact the cabin doesn't quite match the sector's best.

WhatCar? best buy: RX450h SE: £46,995

Lexus IS300h

Another Lexus hybrid, this time in saloon form. It looks good, features plenty of gear and is super-dependable.

Near-silent electric-only running is great for town work, while 67.3mpg efficiency and a mere 97g/km of CO2 make for relatively low running costs.

Again, keep it simple – avoid the 18in alloys, which affect handling and economy, and the higher specs' doodads. The IS300h SE is the best iteration.

WhatCar? best buy: IS300h SE: £28,995

Lexus GS300h

This 220bhp hybrid is a quiet, refined and economical cruiser that, thanks to its 2.5-litre petrol-electric drivetrain, can eat up the miles.

The extremes of the GS300h line-up vary from the base SE spec, which returns 60.1mpg and 109g/km of CO2 but has fairly basic kit such as cloth upholstery, to the well equipped Premium model for an additional £12,000.

Best compromise for this Lexus is the mid-range Luxury.

WhatCar? best buy: GS300h Luxury: £45,495

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Hybrid

The quality of the C-Class's cabin, amount of space on offer all round and high level of kit never fail to impress.

Rain-sensing wipers, reversing camera plus climate and cruise control are standard even on the base SE. All this added to 94g/km of CO2 emissions – well below any tax threshold – and excellent ride and handling.

The entry-level SE comes only with a manual box; the Sport, with its standard-fit auto and even more equipment, is more popular.

WhatCar? best buy: C300 h Sport: £36,765

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