Going green

Nearly seven out of ten drivers say the cost of motoring has increased in the last 12 months, according to research by swiftcover.com, a situation reflected by the AA’s Running Cost tables, which suggests that the average cost of running a car has soared in 2009. According to the AA the annual cost of running a car now ranges from £1,965 for a small city car, up to a whopping £10,316 for a top of the range diesel. It’s no wonder that drivers are now trying to cut the costs of motoring more than ever, with 64% of motorist telling swiftcover.com that the increasing cost is primarily down to higher road and fuel taxes.

As petrol costs currently average 106.3p/litre according to the fuel comparison site petrolprices.com, many of us are all looking for ways to cut our fuel consumption and save some extra cash. One option is go green, as environmentally friendly cars are not only better for the world; they are more economical as well. But it’s not just fuel saving that can be had by going green.

The lower a car’s CO2 emissions, the less road tax you have to pay. Hybrids such as the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius emit less than 120g of CO2/km, meaning a cheap £15 annual road tax bill. It’s not just hybrid drivers who can save, as drivers of any car with emissions of less than 140g/km will only have to stump up £100 per year for road tax. So if you’re in the market for a new car, it’s worth looking at small diesels and vehicles with stop-start technology that actually switch off the engine when you are stopped – such as at traffic lights – and switch it on again seamlessly when you drive off.

Hybrid drivers are also exempt from the London congestion charge and in some London boroughs, such as Richmond, residents who drive eco-friendly cars can park for free, saving up to £110 a year.

On top of that, drivers of smaller, more efficient cars will usually get cheaper insurance. swiftcover.com, for example, offers hybrid drivers an additional 10% discount on their premium.

For drivers who aren’t planning on switching their cars any time soon there are other ways to save. Keeping your boot clutter free, ensuring your tyres are properly pumped up, avoiding racing starts from the traffic lights and changing gear at the right time can also help shave pounds off your fuel bill.