Ford and the Energy Saving Trust today announced a nationwide smart driving challenge to find the UK's greenest motorist.

Smart driving techniques deliver environmental, financial and safety benefits through reduced fuel consumption and a smoother driving style designed to reduce wasteful acceleration and braking.

Ford's ECOnetic range of low CO₂ models, showcased at this year's 'Sexy Green Car Show', will go on to regional smart driving events this summer.

Motorists will compete at six regional heats including July's British International Motor Show in London.  The Focus ECOnetic models they will be driving have a combined fuel consumption figure of almost 66mpg – resulting in a class-leading 114g CO₂/km.

Ford has offered eco driving courses in Europe since 2000 to help Ford owners develop a smooth fuel-saving driving style.  Fuel consumption is typically reduced by 15 per cent and savings can be as much as 25 per cent.

Candidates answering Ford's call in local media to demonstrate smart driving techniques will tackle a three-part test.  The first will establish existing eco driving skills among the 200 participants, with fuel consumption/ CO₂ output recorded.

Next comes a session of eco driving instruction from the Energy Saving Trust before a second mpg/ CO₂ reading is produced – accompanied by the improvement expressed as an annual fuel saving.

Each regional winner will be rewarded with the loan of a 1.6-litre Ford Focus ECOnetic – with the option of a tour of Ford's wind-powered Dagenham Diesel Centre where the car's ultra low CO₂ engine is produced.

The overall winner will receive a home 'eco makeover' addressing energy efficiency to deliver lower utility bills (value £10,000).