Introduction

The changes in the earth's climate brought about by human beings are already evident and may well become one of the greatest threats to mankind and the ecosystems as a result of an increase incidence of extreme weather.

(Road) traffic already contributes significantly to emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the most important greenhouse gas, and, on top of this, it is the sector with the highest growth rates - at least in industrialised countries. CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption are directly linked to each other. No catalytic converter can "destroy" the CO₂ in the exhaust gas; emission of this can only be reduced by cutting down petrol consumption. Furthermore, the fundamental possibilities for lowering petrol consumption are known.

In 1994, the obvious contradiction between the threat to the climate on the one hand and the failure to implement technically feasible measures to reduce consumption on the part of the automobile industry on the other induced GREENPEACE to initiate the "SmILE" project. If there had to be such a thing as a car, then it should be small, intelligent, light and efficient. In less than two years, a standard Renault Twingo was taken as an example of how consumption can be optimised with the means available today and with a view to possible series production. The result of this project shows that it is possible to give first aid to the climate rapidly - halving consumption is feasible.