Green machines: biofuels and hybrid cars to clean the streets in 2008

In January, there seem to be two things on almost everyone’s mind: New Year’s resolutions and shopping. These may seem difficult to reconcile, but with the growing market for ethical and “green” consumer products, it may actually be possible to combine the two and put your money where your mouth is in terms of those good intentions. Some of the most exciting developments for environmentally conscious consumers in 2008 are sure to come from a surprising source: automotive and automotive companies.

If you’re getting tired of your current car, but not ready to go totally eco-friendly and switch to walking, then public transportation or a bike (cycling, by the way, is a great way to change some of the ‘festive fat’ ‘). ‘that’s often another top January concern) – the environmental impacts of producing and manufacturing various vehicles are worth looking into. Educate yourself on the fuel economy and emission levels of cars before you buy them, and you could also be doing the planet, human health, and your bank balance a huge favor – obviously, smaller engines with higher efficiency mean you’ll spend less. in fuel while producing less harmful CO2.

Climate change has been the hot topic of the year, from dinner tables to boardrooms and from muddy campgrounds to Westminster and Washington. Even the Governor of California, one Arnold Schwarzenegger, previously seen saving the world from the killer robots and terrorists navigating the Harrier, has added his distinctive voice to the lobby for cleaner, greener transportation by setting innovative goals for reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide. He plans to increase the number of hydrogen filling stations in California (currently 25) to 200 and create a ‘hydrogen highway’ there by 2010, making it a Mecca for owners of tremendously inefficient and expensive carbon-neutral vehicles like his. , but still powered by hydrogen, ‘Green Hummer’.

Good news for green consumerism, then, which is also great news on this side of the pond: a number of hybrid and electric cars are already available here and there is a rapidly growing network of ‘biodiesel’ filling stations across the UK. , with a combination of 5% biofuel to regular diesel is already common thanks to the RTFO plan. The short-term ‘middle house’ is represented by small, efficient vehicles like the new Mini Diesel and the modern Mercedes-Benz Smart range, which also turn out to be quite fantastic in terms of looks.

Another thing to keep in mind, whether you’re looking for a new vehicle or just to cut down on driving costs, is car insurance; It’s vital to make sure it’s up to date every year, as the law is pretty clear that you can do it ‘Don’t drive without it. The car you choose will affect your premium, as will many other factors, such as your driving history, whether the car is kept in a garage, and even having a tracking device installed (often included with satellite navigation systems) can. mean great savings. You can also often save by purchasing auto and home insurance from the same provider, or simply through a loyalty discount once you’ve found the right company for you.