Buyacar's guide to green driving

EDITOR'S REVIEWS

• Electric Cars - The Basics

  ELECTRIC CARS - Electricity might be touted as the new petrol, but what do you need to know about this new form of power? ...

• How green am I?

  WORK OUT HOW GREEN YOU ARE - With a little bit of effort we can all be a bit greener, saving money and cutting emissions Like a motoring version ...

Most now accept that global warming is fact. We can debate its causes and effects, questioning which countries, industries or sections of society are to blame until we're collectively green in the face but it looks like we're stuck with it.

The automotive industry has come in for more criticism than most for its part in the environmental crisis. We'll all have our opinions on whether it is actually the major culprit of the planet's woes or just a soft and easily taxable target but what's not in doubt is that car manufacturers have risen to the green challenge.

Almost without exception, the major car brands have grasped the vehicle emissions nettle and are offering vehicles that are massively greener than equivalent models of just five years ago.

Some brands have pioneered hybrid powertrains using batteries and electric motors to reduce the burden on a car's conventional engine. Others have developed highly efficient small diesel and petrol engines which offer startlingly low emissions and fuel consumption.

Motorists can now choose cars with special modifications designed to improve environmental performance. The car makers have shown just how much can be achieved with low rolling resistance tyres, weight saving modifications and tweaks to a vehicle's aero dynamics. There's also Stop/Start technology that shuts the vehicle's engine down when it's stationary and consumers have the option of buying vehicles capable of running on renewable fuels like biodiesel and E85 bioethanol.

The global car industry has done a huge amount to make greener vehicles available to the public right now and it will do much more in the future. Now it's up to us to make the right choices.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE GREEN?

"Green" The term has been in our collective vocabulary for a while now and seems to encapsulate a vast number of things, but what does it really mean?? Here at Buyacar we?ve been busy breaking down what it really means to be green.

What is a Green car?

As manufacturers jump on the green car bandwagon, we explore the new technology and innovation that make these cars 'Green'. Recently innovation and 'smart' technology are reaping efficiency benefits in ways you wouldn't have really thought of before.

What are the benefits of going Green?

We explore the benefits to the planet of going Green and importantly look at what that means for you as a driver, the good and the bad.

Why are emissions a bad thing?

We've all heard about the hole in Ozone Layer, but what are the effects are carbon emissions closer to home?

How Green am I?

The first step towards being a Greener car owner is looking at your lifestyle and seeing how Green you are currently. You never know, you may be doing pretty well without even realising it!? There a loads of Carbon footprint calculators to choose from, each with its own perspective and take on your environmental impact.

Check out our sections on the right for more in articles on these and amany more issues.