Green Driving – Good For The Planet And Your Wallet

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Eighty per cent of the total emissions from your car come from everyday journeys and not the actual production of the car. How we use our cars has a direct impact on our environment – and on our wallets. If you're concerned about saving both the planet and some money, there are ways that by making a few simple changes in the way you use your car, you can do both.

How much carbon are you producing?
The main problem confronting our planet is the amount of carbon emissions that burning fossil fuels produces. These emissions, in the form of greenhouse gasses, change the way our atmosphere filters harmful UV rays, forces particulates into the atmosphere which trap sunlight and raise the temperature of the globe. This in turn has a direct affect on our climate, and cars are one of the biggest carbon pollutants on the planet. But there are ways that we can make a difference, and it also means that you could be saving a considerable amount of money at the same time.

New cars are now sold with a duty band that is based on their carbon emissions in grams per kilometre. The duty (and therefore the price) you pay on the car is dictated by which band they fall into. Choosing a lower band vehicle means that not only will you be paying less, both in actual costs and running costs such as tax, but you will also be producing less carbon emissions. These lower band cars can also make a big difference when you're looking for the best price on car insurance. In an attempt to encourage motorists to do their bit to cut back on carbon emissions, insurers are offering special packages for eco-friendly cars that can cut the costs of your premiums considerably. So if you're in the market for a new car, it may be worth taking a look at a hybrid or other car that has less of a negative environmental impact. The Government's 'Car Scrappage Scheme' can also save you money, particularly if you're looking for a new car rather than a second-hand vehicle.

What can you do?
If you can't afford to buy a new, more eco-friendly car, then there are things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint with your old vehicle. The way you look after your car and its fuel consumption can make a big difference, as can the way you actually drive. By having your car regularly serviced, you can make sure that your car is running as efficiently as possible and that its emissions are within acceptable levels. The emissions test is now a big portion of the annual MOT test, and if your car doesn't fall within specified standards, it will fail its MOT. Most reasonably new cars can be converted to run on bio-fuels, but you will need to talk to an expert to find out if you can change your car to run on green fuels rather than standard petrol or diesel.

Low tyre pressure can increase your fuel consumption by up to 8 per cent, which may not sound like much, but mounts up quickly, particularly if you do high mileage. It can also affect the handling and braking ability of the car, so for safety's sake, ensure that your tyres are at the correct pressure. The quickest way to use up fuel is to use excessive speed. Exceeding 75mph can use up to 25 per cent more fuel than driving at 50mph, as well as drastically increasing the amount of greenhouse gasses your car produces. Even simple things like driving with the windows open or the air conditioning on increases the amount of fuel your car consumes, again pushing up those emissions and costing you even more money.

With a little bit of care and consideration, you can dramatically reduce the cost of your motoring. Looking for cheaper insurance is just one part of the package – but by combining it with better driving habits or even investing in a more eco-friendly vehicle can make those savings mount up. Consider if every journey you make is absolutely necessary. Just cutting the amount you drive by five miles a week can help to cut both your costs and the impact on the environment. Green driving is good for both the planet – and your wallet.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

This and other car insurance articles by Mark Bartley will help keep you up to date with information about car insurance. Mark will include further information on car insurance in his future articles.

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