The Truth About 'Green' Cars

'Green' cars are all the rage in some parts of the country. But behind the gimmicks and slick advertising, do they really provide value for money?

Now I'm no Jeremy Clarkson, but green cars have always intrigued me. As a Londoner, I see a lot of them whizzing around, marketed as the `green' way forward for motorists up and down the country.

According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, sales of hybrid cars doubled in Britain last year, as Brits wised-up to the fact that going green could also help keep you in the black over the longer term.

But aside from the marketing jargon and gimmick appeal, when it comes down to the real number crunching - are green cars really worth it?

Green And Groovy 

Today's green cars come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Hybrid cars are one of the more popular types available, and usually work by combining an electric motor with a combustion engine.

The electric motor powers the car at low speeds while the combustion engine kicks-in when more power is needed - both working in harmony to provide better fuel economy overall.

Don't fancy that? Then how about a car powered entirely by electricity? 

While these are arguably the greenest cars you can buy, most can only reach a top speed of 50mph. So they will never rival the Ferraris of this world... but they do have their plus points. For example, you can charge the car from home, and because the car is powered by electricity, carbon emissions are virtually zero. (Even if you add in the carbon emitted when the electricity is generated at the power station, these cars are far greener than their rivals.)

Still, green doesn't have to mean slow. In a quickly adapting market, many new `greener' diesel cars are starting to spring up to meet demand.

Already providing around 20% to 30% better fuel economy than their petrol-powered counterparts, diesel cars are fast catching up to the hybrids on the market. And while they still continue to cause other concerns for the environment, they're a far cry from the noisy pollution monsters they used to be.

Save Money And The Planet

Another great thing about 'green' cars is that they are often cheaper to insure. This is because low performance models are likely to cost insurers less in claims, so they kindly charge less for insuring them.

So look out for green cars in insurance group 1, which is the cheapest (group 20 is the most expensive).

Here's a quick comparison of what's on the market at the moment:

Just taking a quick glance at the table, you may think the savings aren't that apparent. The Toyota Prius, for example will set you back £17,777. This is more than £6,000 more expensive than a Ford Focus, but yet sits in the same insurance group as its diesel rival.

However, there are still significant savings to be made by opting for this hybrid. Firstly, the Prius boasts a mighty 65.7mpg average, although many reviews of the car highlight that the true figure is slightly less in the real world. Still, the Friends of the Earth state that buying a Prius as opposed to a Ford Mondeo could result in a fuel cost saving of over £630 a year.

Also, low CO2 emissions keep the Prius's Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) down to £15 and means it is exempt from London's Congestion Charge. If you travel into London every weekday apart from bank holidays then you could save over £2,000 a year. When added to the fuel cost saving, that cost mean a £2,630 saving in the first year alone.

You shouldn't forget that the Prius still partly relies on petrol. With petrol prices shooting up in recent times, the car can still be expensive to run. In addition, if you don't live in London, you may find the savings don't add up to much at all.

The Electric Wiz Kid

Those worried about escalating petrol prices can banish those fears forever with a G-Wiz. Powered solely by electricity, not only is the car exempt from VED and London's Congestion Charge, but where car insurance is concerned, this nifty number sits firmly in cheap insurance group 1.

You can charge the G-Wiz from home using a regular 13 amp socket, though Reva does recommend that you fork out for a 16 amp charging point. Depending on where you live and where the socket is located, this will cost you around few hundred pounds.

Also, the G-Wiz is a true city car. If you're planning on driving for more than a short journey then you may as well forget it. Although there are charging points located across London, the G-Wiz has a lifespan of just 40 miles per charge.

For the aesthetically minded, you should also bear in mind that this car is not exactly the sleekest on the market, and seats just two people. Still, it does the job, and you'll be able to squeeze in spaces to park that other cars wouldn't even think about.

If you're looking for something a bit bigger, however, I have good news for you. Technology has advanced so much that these days you can even purchase a hybrid 4 x 4. The Lexus RX400h is one such gas guzzler with a difference, built using a hybrid engine that makes it less damaging to the environment.

And just because you're not overly fond of petrol prices, don't rule out diesel cars. With an on-the-road price of £12,120, the Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion 1 1.4 is not only exempt from VED, but is much cheaper than its Toyota predecessor. If new emissions-based congestion charging does kick-in this February, then the Polo will also be exempt. The Seat Ibiza Ecomotive also falls into this category.

A Green Legacy?

So hopefully, I have shown you why and how green cars can provide a long-term cost-effective and guilt-free way of getting around. But don't just take my word for it. As always, it pays to do your own research. Check with your local council to see if they have any discounts or schemes for low emitting cars. And be sure to shop around when looking for car insurance, as some offer lower premiums for hybrid or alternative fuel cars.

Finally, a word of warning: don't just go for the gimmicks. Climate change and the environment may be no laughing matter, but neither is forking out for an expensive green car that isn't worth driving.

More: Save More By Being Green | Get Cheaper Car Insurance