Choosing a green car isn't just about colour. Check out the fuel efficiency and carbon emissions , they can save you money in the long run.
To choose a low CO2 emitting car, select one which has all or most of these characteristics
- Small size and engine
- Lightweight
- Manual gearbox
- Low CO2 vehicle classification
CO2 Vehicle Classification
Vehicles are now classified according to the levels of CO2 they emit. If you drive an environmentally friendly car you will pay less car tax compared to a more polluting vehicle. The new fuel efficiency label grades each car from A to G, band A cars are the cleanest and exempt from road tax, band G are the most polluting and will cost the most in road tax.
Can you do without ?
It may be worth asking yourself the question "Do I need to keep a car?".
There are 5 key points to consider;
1. How often do you use the car?
2. How far do you travel?
3. Consider the regular journeys you make. Could you reduce or avoid making them completely ? Are there options to work at home, how close are the shops? Can you make those journeys using a more sustainable alternative such as public transport, cycling, walking, car sharing or use car clubs for the times when you really need a car?
4.Could you save money using another form of transport ? When weighing up the costs of running a car versus another option consider not just the cost of fuel and car parking but also the costs of buying the car, tax and servicing. The AA reguarly publish running costs for both petrol and diesel cars that reflect the true cost of a car. For example a diesel car costing £12000 and averaging 5000 miles per year could cost you 62p for every mile driven.
