As the extension of the London congestion charge zone is extended tomorrow, Honda expect this to push sales of greener hybrid cars in the capital.

Sales already show the percentage of hybrid cars in London rose over 2005-2006 from 1% to 2%.

Honda are predicting that an additional 6,500 hybrid fuel models will be sold in London alone over the next 2 years.

Although many people think of hybrid cars as essentially exotic, Honda has now sold over 185,000 worldwide.

Of its UK sales, a third are purchased from people living in London and the South East of England - and Honda believe that congestion charges on traditional pertrol and diesel cars are the reason for this.

It’s not just consumers who are buying them - the Metropolitan police has already ordered 177 hybrid fuel Honda Civics, and national corporations are ushering them in.

In the meantime, Honda are building a sports car to extend its market reach beyond the traditional saloon style.