There are many eco friendly and low emission vehicles now on the market. These range from hybrids such as the enduringly popular Toyota Prius and Honda Civic, through to all-electric powered cars including the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster.
With such a variety of different automobiles available it can be hard to know what to look for when going green and eco friendly. Statistics such as emissions and mileage are important, but there is a vast array of other factors to take into account when looking to purchase an eco friendly car. These will vary depending on the needs of the customer. Many eco friendly vehicles come just as well equipped as their traditional counterparts in their price range. Some show considerable ingenuity with extras such as solar panel roofing to help charge the battery while the vehicle is stationary.
First of all it is important to understand the difference between hybrid and all electric vehicles and how they work before you decide which one is the most suitable for your needs. Both are eco friendly and help save you money on fuel and tax although there are many differences between their emissions and how they work.
Modern hybrid vehicles still rely on the combustion of fossil fuels for propulsion but there is a supplementary electrical system, including batteries and an electric motor. This works by storing some of the energy that is wasted when braking and stores it to power the vehicle at a later time. Hybrids are sometimes less powerful than standard vehicles, but for the most part are more powerful than their battery-only counterparts.
Battery operated vehicles work with an electrical charge, but there are currently few places to charge them. Another challenge with battery only technology is that they take a considerable time to charge (some up to half a day) and most only have a short range. For these reasons, most people are more likely to choose the Hybrid option which is more usable as a means of transport on a day to day basis.
Another important factor to take into account is how much money you are willing to spend on an eco friendly car. Second hand vehicles will of course be lower in price, but the most important factor is getting what you need for the lowest price possible. Just because the vehicle is inexpensive to buy does not mean it is good value for your money. It is advisable to make sure that the car is equipped to suit your lifestyle and then work on finding the lowest price you can. Car finance may be required so search for the best deal.
Some people will also look at the manufacturer's green credentials. Auto manufacture is necessarily intensive in its use of natural resources but some manufacturers work harder than others to offset their carbon footprint.
Finally, if you are thinking of a hybrid car then it is important to consider fuel economy. Current hybrids offer wildly different miles per gallon consumption. Fuel economy is important with gas prices on the rise and you will want to get the best balance between cost, specification and mileage to help save the environment as well as the cash in your wallet.
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