Do your bit for the environment and enjoy guilt-free motoring

A sunny day, a picnic and a drive to the countryside may sound like heaven, but with carbon emissions and climate change playing an ever-bigger part in the news bulletins, many of us feel guilty using the car for non-essential trips. But with crowded public transport and Britain’s notoriously damp weather, it can often be tempting to just jump in the car rather than walk or take the bus to your destination. However, car manufacturers are waking up to our need for cleaner vehicles, and there are currently plenty of hybrid cars on the market for those who want to drive but still help the environment.

Hybrids work by reducing the amount of fuel the car uses and thus the amount of carbon emitted. Instead of one big petrol engine, the hybrid uses a smaller engine along with an electric motor that work together to power the vehicle. When the car is moving at a relatively slow speed such as when you’re driving in a built-up area or sitting in traffic, the motor does all the work, meaning that no fuel is used at all. As the car picks up speed, the petrol engine joins in to help the vehicle move along, but thanks to the motor the amount of petrol used is drastically reduced. Not only is this cheaper and more fuel efficient, it’s also better for the environment as far fewer exhaust fumes and toxins are released into the atmosphere.

Many companies are shifting their product base to reflect consumers’ desire to save petrol and help the environment: for example, many of the new Honda cars are hybrids, and most have been specifically designed to be aerodynamic and fuel efficient. Hybrids tend to be much lighter than the traditional car, thanks to their design and the equipment in them, making them quicker and more fuel efficient. They also recycle the wasted energy that traditional cars get from slowing down and braking, using a process known as regenerative braking to recharge the motor’s battery and thus keep the car going.

In addition to their benefits to the environment, eco cars are also pretty beneficial to the bank balance. Aside from the reduced fuel consumption, road tax and even car insurance are cheaper for hybrid or low-fuel cars. Some hybrid drivers may even pay as little as £15 in road tax compared to over £150 for certain other vehicles. As for insurance, many companies offer special discounts to reduced-fuel drivers, and there are even some specialist companies that will donate money to environmental charities for every person they insure; one provider has even offered to plant a tree for every car registered with them.

London residents, or even just frequent visitors to the capital, can save even more money with a hybrid. Because eco cars have lower carbon emissions than most other vehicles, you may find that you don’t have to pay the £8 per day congestion charge, or are at least entitled to a discount. The London transport network analyses the emissions from all alternative fuel vehicles and decides on a charge accordingly, so if you own a hybrid you can apply for a discount or exemption (although the exemption does come with a £10 annual fee; still a bargain if you make more than one trip to London per year).

With vehicle manufacturers like Honda, UK motorists are able to help the environment without sacrificing too much of their lifestyle. While doing your bit for the planet is always something to think about, with a hybrid car you can explore your area, enjoy country drives and visit friends and family all guilt free, and for a much lower cost, too. Say goodbye to enviro-guilt and hello to a cheaper, cleaner driving experience.