​A large SUV is never going to be the ultimate answer if you’re looking to go green, but there have been some interesting developments that give you options over a chunky petrol or diesel. First, there are plug-in hybrids, like the BMW X5, that combine a petrol engine with a battery you can plug into a charging point to give you 40-50 miles of electric-only driving. If you plug them in regularly and make shorter regular journeys then they can drag back emissions to something more sensible.  Most manufacturers already have these as an option, BMW, Land Rover, Toyota, Kia and Volvo all make some decent plug-ins, and there are plenty of models on the way that we'll be the first to tell you about. Then there are the pure electric SUVs like the Jaguar iPace, Audi eTron and Mercedes EQC and these rely on battery power alone. These are premium big-car experiences with no localised emissions, but you’ll need to make sure they fit with your lifestyle and budget because they aren’t cheap. If you're looking for a more affordable package then take a look at the Hyundai Kona which comes with a plug-in hybrid or pure electric for you to choose from.