From Guest Blogger Michael Fowler: Why Hybrid Cars will Benefit You and Your City

Hybrid cars are fast becoming commonplace and rightfully so as these cars are cutting carbon dioxide emissions down and in the process saving our environment, cleaning up our cities and even saving people money on car tax.

What are Hybrids?

Hybrid cars are part battery-electric and part standard vehicles. The most common hybrid car uses is the ‘Parallel Hybrid’, here the wheels can be directly powered by the combustion engine or by using a battery-powered electric drive-train, they can also be used simultaneously. You may be familiar with the world’s most popular hybrid car, the Toyota Prius, this runs on the parallel hybrid combustion engine and drive train, and it’s been popularised by Larry David, Miley Cyrus and Simpson’s creator Matt Groening.

Cleaner Air 

If everyone who drives in your city drove a hybrid car, carbon dioxide emissions would be cut by more than half.  The average passenger vehicle emits from their tail pipe around 423g of carbon dioxide per mile, a hybrid car only emits 160g. This could lead to a massive reduction in inner city smog and green house gas emissions.

Money Saving

The benefits don’t just extend to the environment, due to Hybrid vehicles’ extremely low tail pipe emmissions, road tax prices are greatly cheaper, with savings of around £95. To run a hybrid car is also significantly cheaper. Fuel is used much less than in a standard engine, 15-30% less per mile. This means everyone has a bit more money, helping the individuals making the savings and the economy.

Avoid Congestion Charges

Cities like London in the UK make cars pay for the London Congestion Charge, which costs drivers around £10 a day just to drive through certain zones in London. Unless you drive a hybrid, that is. Under the Greener Vehicle Discount law, if you drive a hybrid or a motor that emits less than 100g of carbon dioxide per kilometre, you can get your LCC charge for free. Though you’ll need to sign up for a £10 annual registration fee, after that you’re able to take advantage of the free congestion charge. Although, in London, the exemption threshold may get lowered to 75g of carbon dioxide/km maximum.

There is little reason for not owning a hybrid car in a busy city. They are better for the environment, your city and better for your own economy.

Michael Fowler writes on behalf of Think Insurance.