Green driving

Economy drive
Motoring is going 'green', with many cars running on electricity and gas. That can mean big savings, so here we look at some of the petrol alternatives - plus some tips for saving money on your driving costs.

Discount in numbers
Sharing a car with a partner, family member or even friend is ideal if you can't afford to buy your own vehicle outright. Car sharing also means one less car on the road, helps cut congestion and makes better sense for the environment.

Going green
With road transport responsible for 88% of the UK's harmful carbon emissions, any initiative you take to be more eco-friendly on the road is good news for environment – and, as an extra incentive, could even save you cash by helping lower your Direct Line Motor Insurance Premium.

Sharing a car
Recent research by Direct Line shows that more young people are sharing the cost of buying a car with friends in answer to the rising cost of vehicles and environmental worries.

Park and ride
The first park and ride services began in the 1970s to help cut congestion, encourage drivers to use their cars less and to make better use of public transport. Today, bus-based park and ride services exist in more than 55 towns and cities in England, with more planned and underway. Here's how to find one near you…

Greener driving
Every time you use a car you are contributing to local air pollution and congestion. Take action to help create a better environment and you might find your bank balance is in a healthier state too!

Company cars
Companies that run cars for their employees could be paying out more than is necessary and could switch to greener vehicles.

Greenest cars
If you want to be a 'greener' driver do some cars have greener credentials than others?

Car disposal
When your car reaches the end of the road, make sure it is disposed of in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.

Car clubs
If you want to be a greener driver by not owning your own car while hiring one occasionally, a car club can prove to be a convenient and affordable option.

Dealing with buyers
If you are selling your car, there is a lot to think about, not least how to deal with potential buyers.

Work travel
If you are concerned about the environment but think nothing of hopping in your car every day and driving to work, you need to be asking yourself the following question: is taking the car absolutely necessary, or could you find another way of getting there?

Fuel economy labels
If you are buying a car, find out first what the fuel emissions are – by doing this you will find out how green it is – and also how much road tax you will pay.

Low emissions
The CO² emissions produced by the vehicles on our roads are of concern not only because of the effect they have on the environment in global terms, but also because of the levels of immediate air pollution they create in our towns and cities.

Green driving techniques
The type of car you drive and how often you drive it are very obvious factors in how green you are. Driving a big old petrol Mercedes hundreds of miles every day is obviously going to produce more CO² emissions than taking a brand new VW Polo for a spin to the local shops and back.

Cars with the lowest CO2 emissions
If you are looking for a new car with low CO2 emissions, then the Department for Transport has researched the best-performing models for you.