When we think of 4x4s and their owners we invariably think of mothers bundling children into gas-guzzling Chelsea tractors to drive them half a mile up the road to school.

But is this perception unfair and furthermore, can a 4x4 ever be considered green?

According to Stef Povolotsky, who with his wife Sally runs the liveit4x4.com website, they can.

"Most owners of 4x4s properly maintain them and find ways of reducing the impact on the environment," explained Stef.

The Povolotsky's website was one of the key sponsors of the London to Brighton Land Rover Run earlier this month - a 4x4 rally from Crystal Palace to the south coast organised by the South London and Surrey Land Rover Club.

The event - which attracted 800 people, including many Croydonians - is an opportunity for 4x4 enthusiasts to get together and share in their passion for the off-road vehicles.

Stef said: "The image people have of 4x4 owners is very wrong. There are four massive 4x4 shows every year and six Land Rover publications - there is a massive community of people who all want to portray the right image of 4x4s and who use their vehicles to see the world.

"We've been 4x4 enthusiasts for the last 10 years. It's not so much about the 4x4 being environmentally friendly, but the use of it. I could drive to Sydney in a 4x4 and it would use less emissions than a plane.

"You can buy different types of tyres and suspensions to minimise the environmental impact."

Like many of the 4x4 owners who took part in the London to Brighton Run, the Povolotskys are also a member of GLASS - the Green Lane Association.

GLASS is a national user group made up mostly of 4x4 drivers which strives to protect the UK's unique heritage of ancient vehicular rights of way and promotes sensible driving in the countryside.

The South London and Surrey Land Rover Club organise green laning activities every month with volunteers across England and Wales helping to maintain the lanes by fixing fences and walls, reporting damage and picking up any stranded animals.

And as well as helping the environment in a hands-on sense, 4x4 drivers can also receive training to discover how to drive their car in an environmentally friendly way.

Vince Cobley, from Pro-trax Off Road Experience, explained: "You get a lot of people coming into four wheel drives, probably from a small car, so we help them understand that they don't have to make so many gear changes and that they can let the revs drop and produce less carbon emissions."

For more information about GLASS log on to glass-uk.org or to find out about the South London and Surrey Land Rover Club go to slslrc.org.uk.

To view more green stories go to greenguardian.co.uk.