Electric cars might pollute much more than petrol or diesel-powered cars, according to new research.

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found greenhouse gas emissions rose dramatically if coal was used to produce the electricity.

Electric car factories also emitted more toxic waste than conventional car factories, their report in the Journal of Industrial Energy said.

I think it was on TG, they were saying that from cradle to grave, a S class Merc is greener than a Prius.

I think part of it comes from disposing of the Prius' batteries once they are worn out.

It also depends on how the power is provided. If you had a windmill in your garden providing you enough power for nearly all your motor needs it can change the equations completely. It depends on the whole cycle.

In Europe, where electricity is produced in a number of different ways, electric cars do offer environmental benefits when compared with cars with internal combustion engines, according to the study.

"Electric vehicles powered by the present European electricity mix offer a 10% to 24% decrease in their global warming potential relative to conventional diesel or petrol vehicles."

So keeping my '88 on the road - can I feel like I'm doing my bit for the environment?