| There was a time when the big advantage of having | | | | £2,000 a year on congestion charges alone. Add |
| a green car was that it didn't show the dirt as much as | | | | that to the fuel saving and you're comfortably |
| a white one. Nowadays however, green cars are the | | | | £2,500 a year better off already. If you are |
| thing to drive. They are not only a great way to save | | | | worried about escalating petrol prices, or want to |
| money and save the environment, but they also make | | | | make your drive even more eco-friendly, then a G-Wiz |
| Jeremy Clarkson so hot and bothered that his | | | | is an even better option. Average models reach the |
| forehead alone begins to contribute to global warming. | | | | check-out at around £9,500 and come with the |
| The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders | | | | inestimable satisfaction of telling people you drive an |
| says that sales of hybrid cars doubled in Britain last | | | | entirely electric car. Electric vehicles are exempt from |
| year, and no amount of Chrysler adverts are going to | | | | VED and the London Congestion Charge, and the |
| stop this trend continuing. With oil prices reaching $100 | | | | G-Wiz is also cheap to insure - all models currently fall |
| a barrel, the government offering all sorts of financial | | | | in insurance group one. You charge your G-Wiz from |
| incentives for planet-friendly vehicles, and many | | | | home using a regular 13 amp socket, though Reva |
| insurers offering cheaper quotes, it may soon be an | | | | does recommend investing in a 16 amp charging point. |
| economic necessity to think green. But what are the | | | | And what is more, according to the car's website the |
| best options on the market at the moment? We've | | | | cost of the electricity you use is equivalent to an |
| had a quick look to give you the run down on the best | | | | amazing 600 miles per gallon. Take into account the |
| motors for your pocket. The Toyota Prius is a hybrid | | | | free-parking and company car tax exemptions that |
| car, which means it uses an electric motor at lower | | | | come with an electric motor and you are in line for |
| speeds before engaging the petrol engine when you | | | | some truly amazing savings. The G-Wiz is very |
| ask for more speed. The Prius hits the road at | | | | definitely a city car though. It has a top speed of |
| £17,777 - more than £6,000 more expensive | | | | roughly 50 miles per hour and if you're planning a long |
| than a Ford Focus. However, there are big savings to | | | | drive then forget it. Although there are charging points |
| be made by choosing the Toyota as the Prius | | | | located across London, the G-Wiz has a lifespan of |
| manages a pretty impressive 65.7 miles to the gallon. | | | | just 40 miles per charge. The other environmental |
| According to Friends of the Earth this will save you | | | | option that may save you money is diesel. The |
| £630 a year compared to an equivalent Ford | | | | Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion 1 1.4 will set you back |
| Mondeo. Another advantage is that the Prius's low | | | | just over £12,000 and like the G-Wiz is exempt |
| CO2 emissions ensure that Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) | | | | from VED. It clocks up about 60 miles to the gallon and |
| is only £15, and make it exempt from the London | | | | if new emissions-based congestion charging comes in |
| Congestion Charge. If you drive into London for work | | | | this February, the Polo will also be exempt. |
| every day then you will save yourself more than | | | | |