Toyota has been hailed as the greenest manufacturer in the car industry’s drive to bring down average CO2 emissions.

According to research by cleangreencars.co.uk, Toyota is the first car maker in the UK to dip below the 130g/km level for mean carbon emissions across its model range.

Jay Nagle, of cleangreencars.co.uk, said: "It is highly significant that a major manufacturer has met the EU target. It means no mainstream car manufacturer has an excuse for failing to meet the target in future."

Toyota has led the industry in bringing lower emissions technology to the marketplace, not least in the introduction earlier this year of its new, third generation full-hybrid Prius.

While Prius leads the way with official CO2 emissions from 89g/km, it is joined by iQ, Aygo, Yaris, Urban Cruiser and Auris in offering a choice of models with sub-130g/km emissions.