The Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, the London borough in the headlines recently for linking residents’ parking charges with CO2 emissions, has broken with tradition by switching from a limo to a Toyota Prius as his official car.

“Climate change is the biggest issue facing the planet today and the only way we can combat it is through changing our behaviour.”

“As the first citizen of the borough, it is appropriate that I should lead by example, and I’m more than happy to have this superb new Prius,” said the mayor, cllr Bill Treble.

As part of Richmond’s drive to become Britain’s greenest borough, its Liberal Democrat council now charges residents with the most polluting vehicles up to £300 to park in controlled zones. Those with more than one car pay a 50% additional levy.

Meanwhile, the owners of low-emission cars such as the Toyota Prius are enjoying a 50% reduction in parking charges. The council hopes other local authorities will follow suit.

Richmond's mayors previously used a Daimler DS420 4.0-litre limousine for official duties, with fuel consumption of about 15mpg.

In contrast the 1.5-litre petrol-electric Toyota Prius, which was bought outright, delivers up to 65mpg.

Cllr Treble with his new Toyota Prius