Frankfurt Auto Show goes green

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson won’t be happy.

Judging by the array of shiny cars on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the future is less about emissions and more about conservation.

The world’s largest manufacturers are keen to show off a slew of new battery-powered electrics and hybrids, which combine electric motors with internal combustion engines. However, they also come with uncertain sales and profit prospects. Both types of car cost more, and pure electrics can give consumers a fear of running out of power.