• Home
• About Us
• Advertise
• Green Cars
• Most Economical Cars
• Glossary
• Road Tests
• Latest News

Information

A Guide to Green Cars

Green Cars

Exposing green car myths

There are many reasons why people refuse to join the green car revolution - often believing common misconceptions. This article will attempt to unravel those green car myths so you can make a fair judgment about whether or not you're ready to go green.

Quick links:

• Myth one: Green cars are more expensive to drive
• Myth two: Green cars are more complicated to drive
• Myth three: I can use alternative fuels in my existing engine
• Myth four: There are no green SUVs
• Myth five: Grants are available to go green

Myth one: Green cars are more expensive to drive

Green cars were certainly more expensive when they were difficult to come by and futuristic by design, but now green cars are just as cheap to buy and arguably cheaper to run.

Bioethanol is around 2p cheaper a litre than petrol, and LPG, the original green fuel, is about 50% cheaper than petrol thanks to tax breaks from the Government. Hybrid cars are also much more fuel efficient - they are capable of substantially more miles to the litre than their conventional counterparts meaning fewer trips to the fuel pumps.

When these savings are coupled with reduced road taxes and exemption from congestion charges, its clear green cars offer a cheaper alternative.

Myth two: Green cars are more complicated to drive

In 2006, Honda ran a survey asking if people knew what a hybrid was - 51 per cent responded 'no'. Hybrid cars are exactly the same to drive as a conventional car. The only difference you will notice is that the vehicle is quieter and you can drive a lot further between refuelling.

There are also misconceptions that hybrids require charging over night. On the contrary, a hybrid car utilises a petrol engine and a battery which provides the power in slow moving traffic. When greater acceleration is required, the petrol engine comes into affect and charges the battery at the same time. Hybrids also use regenerative braking - storing heat which would otherwise be lost for use later. So you will never have to 'charge' a hybrid car.

Myth three: I can use alternative fuels in my existing engine

As farmers often run vehicles on homemade biodiesel there is some belief that diesel cars can run purely on vegetable oil. In most modern diesel engines vegetable oil is simply too thick, though some older diesel cars will run adequately in this manner. The key is to check your manufacturer's warranty - most diesels will accept a 5% blend of vegetable oil, but always ensure you're not invalidating your warranty.

Some people also believe that petrol cars can run on alcohol - while most will accept a 5% bioethanol blend, much more than this and your engine is likely to be damaged.

Myth four: There are no green SUVs

It's no secret that the so-called 'Chelsea tractors' have been rounded on with high taxation and congestion charges as the Government attempts to tackle the issue of pollution on our roads.

However, you don't have to abandon 4x4s altogether in order to go green. The Lexus RX400h is a hybrid vehicle and even some conventional 4x4s have similar CO2 levels to typical family estate cars. So if you really want an SUV, search the market to see the greener options that are available.

Myth five: Grants are available to go green

Unfortunately Government support for LPG conversion ended in 2005. However, this does not mean that the Government has turned its back on green cars altogether. On the contrary - with reduced road taxes and congestion charge exemptions (not to mention the obvious fuel savings) there are now arguably more incentives than ever to think of the environment when you buy a car.