Many drivers are starting to think about their impact on the environment around them. That means looking towards cars that produce lower or no emissions at all – and, thankfully, car manufacturers are making more and more that are better for the planet.
If you want your car to emit less while driving, you can look at types that release little or no emissions. All will help to cut or eliminate any emissions from your vehicle.
What type of cars are better for the environment?
If you’re after an eco-friendly drive, you’re best looking at hybrids, electric vehicles or fuel cell electric vehicles. Each offer different solutions to the problem, but which one works best for you?
Hybrids
Combining the power of a combustion engine and an electric motor, hybrids can be good entry point into the eco-friendly market. They use electric power to help fill in the gaps where engines aren’t as efficient, making the car’s emissions drop – as well as fuel consumption. They aren’t always massively efficient, but bring welcome savings.
Read our guide on hybrids to see which one could suit you best.
Electric Vehicles
These make no emissions as the car is fully powered by an on-board battery pack. They need regular charging though – and unless the charge comes from renewable sources, it won’t be completely clean energy.
The good news is that infrastructure and technology is evolving to make more use of wind, solar and other green sources.
In the meantime, you can help by choosing an EV that uses its charge as efficiently as possible. Also look for cars with more range if you plan on using it to commute or travel long distances regularly, and make sure you can charge it up regularly.
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV)
There are very few of these on UK roads, but FCEVs can be an alternative. They use compressed hydrogen to power an electric generator and charge the batteries, meaning that only water and heat are emitted from these types of cars.
There are very few hydrogen filling stations and a limited number of FCEVs available, so these cars are currently very rare. If you live near a hydrogen station, you might want to consider one. But due to the technology being in its infancy, these cars currently cost a lot of money.
Why should you buy one?
Your car might not produce as many emissions as a truck, plane or fuel-burning power station, but every little helps. Choosing one of these vehicle types means reducing the amount of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere – so you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.
And, you’ll have lower running costs. With fewer trips to the pump, lower car tax and potentially reduced servicing costs – especially on EVs – your wallet will benefit, too. Yes, the initial price for one of these vehicles is higher, but you’ll be doing your bank account a favour in the long run.
