Whereas 4 or 5 years ago there was still a great deal of nervousness from car drivers about the option of ‘going eco’, the motoring landscape is now beginning to shift, with many of the main manufacturers embracing eco technology (although admittedly not wholeheartedly).
Of course, many would argue that they have no choice. Oil is a finite commodity afterall, and although it shows no immediate signs of running out, it inevitably will one day, and probably in the not too distant future. Due to this, it is undoubted that we should all be going eco sooner rather than later. But, just how much money can they save you? This post aims to find out…
Coinciding With the Trend
Recent changes to both UK and EU legislation mean that people are now starting to see the financial benefits of going eco, with those opting for greener engines paying far less road tax (and in some cases none at all).
With the development of LPG, hybrid cars and electric cars, it seems as though these savings will only become more substantial over time. The more widespread green driving becomes, the more costs will fall.
What About the Cars?
The joy of eco cars is that there’s now an option to suit you. From low emitters to petrol hybrids to fully electric vehicles, there’s something to suit your needs and requirements.
Of course at full price and brand new they still expensive vehicles, but if you buy a second hand one online from somewhere like Exchange and Mart, the savings can be significant.
This means that, when you’re trading in your old petrol or diesel car, it is now just as cheap (if not cheaper) to trade in for an electric car than another petrol model. This means that the largest barrier to most people owning an electric car, the cost of the purchase, has now been eliminated.
So, between saving hundreds of pounds on road tax and thousands on a vehicle (if buying used), the savings are immediately obvious, and that’s before savings on fuel and insurance. If you live in London, you’ll also be exempt from London Congestion Charge.
To conclude, buying an eco car could be cheaper than you’d ever imagined, and it is now entirely cost effective (and costs will only come down further). So, with oil stocks depleting, isn’t it about time you made the change and became fully green conscious?
