This week we found out just how bad our big gas-guzzling MPV really is for the environment. But what car should we choose instead? We'd love a hybrid, not only because they have much lower impact on the environment, but also because they cost about 4p per mile in fuel rather than the 10p per mile we're currently paying. But sadly they're way out of our price range. What are the alternatives? 
The http://www.whatgreencar.com/ website came to our rescue again, with it's green car selector. You enter your requirements - in our case we wanted a petrol-driven small family car (but you can choose sports cares or SUVs or executive cars amongst other choices, and you can have diesels, hybrids, electric or LPG as fuel choices). It gave us a list of possible cars, but the greenest of the choices it presented was a VW Polo. So that's what we've bought, a little red green car, to replace our old road hog.I've included the Environmental Impact charts so you can see how much "greener" the Polo is compared to our old MPV.
3 comments:
Congrats on the new car, can't wait to see it tonight!
re not being able to afford a hybrid - for those of us who can't afford to buy one brand new, another solution would be to have your existing car converted. Further to my posting on Wednesday's page, the www.lpga.co.uk site explains that most petrol cars can be converted, at a cost of round about £1600. The site also gives a list of approved dealers for conversions.
£1600 is a lot of money to most us, but looking at the figures you've quoted, if it saves you 6p a mile it would actually have paid for itself in about 2 years.
well done again on the new motor, and also on introducing a subject that has got so much response from people.
I reckon an eco-gold star is also deserved, not just for preaching the green path, but for leading the way yourself as well!
Andrew
You do realise that an older car can actually be greener in terms of its environmental impact over its lifecycle? A lot of energy and materials go into making new cars.
And that's not a criticism of your choice BTW. Just an observation as it's something a lot of people miss.
A good green choice is a well maintained VW Golf Mk4 1.9 TDi. A neighbour bought one used and it averages 53mpg. He intends keeping it for years.
Anyway, enjoy the new motor, guv!
When I say "new car", I only meant "new to me". We bought a used car, we've never owned a brand-new car and probably never will.
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