Why Get a Car With a Low Carbon Footprint?

If you are thinking of buying a new car, rather than a second hand one, there are many factors that will contribute to your decision. You may want the car just for image, mainly for practicality, the cheapest you can get, or the most efficient to run and the most environmentally friendly. Juggling these different requirements can be difficult – you have to compromise on something. With climate change and environmental problems constantly in most people’s minds, it may be worth considering the benefits of having a car that produces low levels of emissions. There are other benefits as well as doing your bit for the environment.
Low Carbon Emission Cars are Cheaper to Buy
Just a quick glance at the league table for new cars based on their carbon emissions tells you immediately that this is true. The small Smart Fortwo Cabrio Pulse, Cabrio Passion and Pulse get the three top places. These cars produce only 86 grams of carbon dioxide for every one kilometre they are driven. With an 800cc engine and only room for two people, they aren’t the most practical but if you are a single or a young couple, the price tag of around £11 000 is quite attractive.For the family, there are two options that fall into the top 5 at the moment – the Skoda Fabia Estate Greenline II and the Toyota Auris T4 HSD. Both are 5 door family cars – the Skoda has a vast boot as it’s an estate car – so plenty of room for a young or growing family. The Skoda has a 1.2 litre engine, the Toyota a 1.8 litre, but both produce only 89g of carbon dioxide for every kilometre driven. At just under £14 000, the Skoda is great value for money, while the Toyota is still not too bad at just under £19 000.
At the lower end of the table, the Ferraris and Bentleys listed all cost around £200 000 – and produce over 400 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre travelled, albeit in rather more style.