xcel
03-16-2009, 03:31 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/European_Union_Flag.jpg While buyers have a growing appetite for green cars, higher prices are still forcing us to buy less eco-efficient models. (guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/mar/16/environment-green-car-prices-too-expensive)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Honda_Insight-II2.jpgAdam Vaughan – Guardian (guardian.co.uk) – Mar. 16, 2009
2010 Honda Insight-II – Less than $20K to start and 41 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
Green (the out of pocket variety) is maybe one reason the Insight-II will do better than some expect? -- Ed.
When it comes to changing our driving habits, money talks. Last year it took high oil prices to reduce the amount we drive, and now a survey today suggests we're buying greener cars because of the recession. Nearly half (42%) of drivers said their next car will have lower CO2 emissions than their current one, according to the poll by Auto Trader. Over half (51%) said they'd consider buying a greener car, 61% wanted higher taxes for gas-guzzlers and 40% of the 2,000 respondents are contemplating buying a hybrid.
The key "finding" for me, however, is that price is still the deciding factor when people research a new car: 85% cited it as the most important factor. That chimes with my own recent experience of buying a car.
I wanted the greenest I could afford, but that turned out to be a diesel Ford Focus that spits out 127g/CO2 every kilometer compared to the 104g/CO2 km the Prius emits. Although there's a healthy second-hand market for the Prius, to get one with a fairly low mileage - say, 20,000 miles from three years of driving - will cost you at least £7,500. And that's probably just a little too much for most people buying a family car.
Cheaper green cars are coming, such as the hybrid Honda Insight for £15,490, available from 1 April. But the lag for today's efficient models, such as VW's Bluemotion range and Ford's ECOnetic marque, means they won't be affordable on the used car market for several years… http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/mar/16/environment-green-car-prices-too-expensive
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Honda_Insight-II2.jpgAdam Vaughan – Guardian (guardian.co.uk) – Mar. 16, 2009
2010 Honda Insight-II – Less than $20K to start and 41 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
Green (the out of pocket variety) is maybe one reason the Insight-II will do better than some expect? -- Ed.
When it comes to changing our driving habits, money talks. Last year it took high oil prices to reduce the amount we drive, and now a survey today suggests we're buying greener cars because of the recession. Nearly half (42%) of drivers said their next car will have lower CO2 emissions than their current one, according to the poll by Auto Trader. Over half (51%) said they'd consider buying a greener car, 61% wanted higher taxes for gas-guzzlers and 40% of the 2,000 respondents are contemplating buying a hybrid.
The key "finding" for me, however, is that price is still the deciding factor when people research a new car: 85% cited it as the most important factor. That chimes with my own recent experience of buying a car.
I wanted the greenest I could afford, but that turned out to be a diesel Ford Focus that spits out 127g/CO2 every kilometer compared to the 104g/CO2 km the Prius emits. Although there's a healthy second-hand market for the Prius, to get one with a fairly low mileage - say, 20,000 miles from three years of driving - will cost you at least £7,500. And that's probably just a little too much for most people buying a family car.
Cheaper green cars are coming, such as the hybrid Honda Insight for £15,490, available from 1 April. But the lag for today's efficient models, such as VW's Bluemotion range and Ford's ECOnetic marque, means they won't be affordable on the used car market for several years… http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/mar/16/environment-green-car-prices-too-expensive