The number of people buying environmentally friendly cars in the UK is on the rise. While the number of hybrids and eco cars UK consumers are buying is miniscule compared to conventional cars, nonetheless it is gradually growing.
In November 2011, 1.6% of the new cars sold in the UK were neither petrol nor diesel fuelled. It’s a tiny amount but with the focus at the world’s motor shows on alternative fuels, hybrids and electric vehicles, this figure only has one way to go. The world’s car consumers are demanding better fuel economy and an escape from our reliance on oil.
Buying any new car offers drivers better fuel economy than from a model five or even three years ago. An average new car today can achieve more than 52 miles per gallon, an increase of 29.3% on 2001 figures. More and more cars are being fitted with stop-start technology, so that the vehicle no longer idles at traffic lights or in queues. Instead, the engine cuts out when the brake pedal is applied, and starts again automatically and seamlessly when the driver releases the brake. Stop-start technology can significantly improve fuel economy and is great for reducing air pollution in urban environments.
Driving is getting greener by default through improved fuel economy, because of the lower emissions that new cars today produce. Manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen, among others, are putting increasing emphasis on greening their models. The less fuel you burn, the fewer emissions are produced, and car manufacturers are under constant pressure to reduce emissions on all new car models.
Some drivers are making a conscious decision to be even greener by choosing to drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, which have low or zero carbon dioxide emissions when being driven. However, it is important to remember that emissions are still created in the production of cars and in the production of electricity to fuel electric cars.