Eco-friendly cars at 2011 Geneva Car Show – in pictures

Crowds gather at the 2011 Geneva motor to inspect new hybrid and electric cars Photograph: Sebastian Derungs/AFP/Getty Images

Manufacturers advertising the eco-credentials of their new cars at the show Photograph: STAFF/Reuters

A journalist examines the inner workings of the Peugeot Concept Car Hybrid 4 Photograph: Sandro Campardo/EPA

The new Bamboo Rinspeed concept car uses voice commands to read emails and texts to the driver Photograph: Sandro Campardo/EPA

Smart claims its Forspeed will emit zero-emissions and reach a top speed of 75mph Photograph: AP/Anja Niedringhaus/EPA/Sandro Campardo

From bottom right to bottom left: A prototype charging station for electric cars, a Ford transit electrical vehicle, the new Protoscar LAMPO, a connector used for charging an electric car, and a Mercedes-Benz Class A E-Cell electric car plugged into a charging station Photograph: EPA/EPA/EPA/AP/Reuters

Mitsubishi unveil their Concept Global Small car, which they say will be efficient and inexpensive to manufacture Photograph: Martial Trezzini/AP

The new concept car Edag Light Car Sharing - Open Source has a 100% recyclable basalt fibre chassis Photograph: Martial Trezzini/EPA

The new Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid (left) and Volvo C30 hybrid plugged in and charging Photograph: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/EPA/Uli Deck

Nissan's Esflow concept sportscar has two electric motors to allow for a longer time between charges Photograph: Martial Trezzini/EPA

Renault describes their new Dezir electric concept car as having 'more emotional styling' Photograph: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

The 'spirit of ecstasy' Rolls-Royce's mascot is pictured on the bonnet of the first electric-powered vehicle of luxury car maker Rolls-Royce, the 102EX Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

The two-seater BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept car Photograph: Sebastian Derungs/AFP/Getty Images

The Opel EN-V two-seater bubble car Photograph: Martial Trezzini/EPA

The VW Bulli has an iPad-controlled entertainment system Photograph: EPA/Uli Deck

The brightly coloured Sport Electric Artega promises zero emissions Photograph: Sandro Campardo/EPA

Many of the cars on show at the Geneva event will never go into production but the technology on show reveals the possibilities for eco-friendly cars in the future Photograph: DENIS BALIBOUSE/REUTERS