With today’s economy consumers are doing all they can to save themselves money. One great expense the consumers can have might revolve around a vehicle. Many consumers are now trading off expensive vehicles and opting for cheaper models. If you’re in the market for one of these cheaper, used car models, there are many web sites online, that can help you determine where you can find these vehicles.
One of these frugal used cars that you might want to consider is a Citroen C2, anywhere from 2003 and on. These cars are not only cheap to buy but there also inexpensive to run. Many like the funky and modern look of the vehicle. You will also find that this car is easily manoeuvred within small space is making it a good choice for city driving. There are some drawbacks of this vehicle. Some are dissatisfied with the cheap interior plastics and the light steering but most are pleased with the C2 considering the money they say with this vehicle. Another Citroen model, the C1, is also a frugal vehicle. These models from 2005 and on are generally cheap to run. Like the C2 they also fit in small spaces. Some do complain of the noise the vehicle makes on the motorway.
Read the full article Frugal Cars.
Car clubs are set to benefit from an extra £40,000 of Government funding, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today. The money will be used to support car club development in the UK. Membership of car clubs allows access to low carbon vehicles for short periods of time, often by the hour, on a pay-as-you-go basis. The clubs have increased massively in popularity with the number of members increasing from just 22,000 in 2007 to more than 127,114 members to date. The Government views such schemes as an effective way of tackling congestion, reducing the level of CO2 emissions and improving the quality of life of citizens and communities. Members tend to choose to travel fewer miles by car compared to private car owners and the vehicles they do drive are more efficient. Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “The Coalition Government, in its programme for government, has been clear in its commitment to sustainable travel initiatives such as car clubs to help achieve a greener and more sustainable transport sector. “The figures speak for themselves – each car club vehicle can result in taking 24 private vehicles off the road and the low carbon vehicles used typically emit approx 33% less CO2 than the average car. This is why we are supporting the continued growth of car clubs across the country.” More
(AD Remarks ~ Good new for the very occasional driver, who doesnt want the exepense of owning a vehicle.)
Rubber speed humps made out of recycled car tyres have been laid on the streets of Leicestershire. The low cost, eco-friendly solution to speed management in the county has saved taxpayers some £15,000 off normal construction costs while reducing the carbon footprint of the region – by being more energy efficient to produce than traditional speed humps. Leicestershire County Council said the new humps will be rolled out at suitable sites across the county following their introduction in Birstall. More
(AD Comments ~ Sounds like a good idea all round!)
REVOLUTIONARY new hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars could be taking to the streets of Leicester thanks to a ground-breaking deal between the city council and a manufacturer of sustainable cars. Leicester City Council has signed a memorandum of understanding to work with Riversimple – a firm specialising in designing and building environmentally-friendly vehicles – which intends to bring 30 of the ultra-efficient cars to the city. The project, which will be the first of its kind in the UK, will see the council and Riversimple work together on a 12-month pilot scheme in which private residents and organisations will be able to test-drive the vehicles. The pilot scheme, which is expected to be up and running by spring 2012, will also involve Leicester University and De Montfort University, and will also work on a suitable location for a filling station to power the cars. The prototype of the car, which was built at the Silverstone racing circuit, was launched at an event in the grounds of Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on Thursday, June 10. The city council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Abdul Osman, signed the memorandum of understanding between the council and Riversimple at the event. If the pilot is a success, Leicester and Riversimple will also discuss the potential of Leicester being the site for a factory producing 5,000 cars a year. Another pilot scheme is also planned for elsewhere in the UK. Leicester City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Abdul Osman, added: “This is great news for Leicester, and confirms the city’s status as leading the way in environmental terms. More
(AD Comments ~ Another step forward in the new generation of cars. We are in desparate need for them to succeed, if we believe the stories of fossils fuel supplies running low over the next decade.)
Average new car CO2 emissions fell by their biggest ever margin last year, with the average new car sold in the UK in 2009 emitting just 149.5g/km of CO2. At the same time, Fiat has posted Europe’s lowest volume weighted CO2 emissions. The UK CO2 emissions are 5.4% down on the 2008 figure and 21.2% better than the 1997 base level. The rate of reduction was the best on record, three times the average rate achieved since data was first measured in 1997. According to the annual New Car CO2 Report released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the impact of recession and the Scrappage Incentive Scheme has boosted the continued influence of technological advances made by vehicle manufacturers. Reductions in average emissions were made across all model segments with MPVs (-28.6%) and 4x4s (-27.4%) making the biggest improvement against their 1997 base levels. Minis and specialist sports cars made the biggest reduction over the past year falling 6.7% and 6.3% respectively on 2008 figures. 2009 saw the 12th successive annual drop in average new car CO2 emissions, with extra improvement helped by the recession and the Scrappage Incentive Scheme which steered buyers towards more fuel-efficient models. The average car bought under the scheme emitted just 133.3g/km, 26.8% less CO2 than the average scrapped car. More
(AD Comment ~ As technology moves forward, we can expect lower emissions over the next few years. A far change from a few decades ago, when some vehicles emissions may well have been extremely high!)
Pioneering motorists will receive up to £5,000 to buy an ultra-low carbon car, and the roll-out of supporting infrastructure will begin in selected regions, the Government announced today. The Plug-in Car Grant will be distributed directly to the consumer at the point of purchase and will be available across the UK from January 2011, by which time a range of eligible vehicles is expected to be available. Also included in the Government’s plans is the roll-out of a £30m fund for a network of electric vehicle hubs – called Plugged-In Places – which will see charging infrastructure appearing in car parks, major supermarkets, leisure and retail centres, as well as on the street. The first Plugged-In Places were today named today as London, Milton Keynes and the North East; and between them they will be installing over 11,000 vehicle recharging points during the next three years. The initiatives are part of a £450 million Government strategy to support the creation of a flourishing early market for ultra-low carbon vehicles. The programme will help to meet the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions from transport; as well as creating new business opportunities for UK-based companies in the automotive and charging infrastructure sectors. Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said: “Decarbonising transport isn’t an aspiration – it’s a reality. By this time next year, cutting edge motorists will be on the roads with these next generation cars they’ve purchased because of our help. “And thanks to the Plugged-In Places we will have in place infrastructure to support this growing early market. “Transport has a huge part to play in helping the UK meet its stringent emission reduction targets and today’s announcement is another step on the road to putting the UK at the global forefront of ultra-low carbon vehicle development, manufacture and use.” More
(AD Suggests ~ Incentives will help the start the process of changing to electric cars. When all the development of battery power storage is complete, the economy benefits of electric, will mean in a few years electric cars will be in the majority, rather than minority of new vehicles.)
The government has today announced its latest Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA), unveiling plans to establish Wales as a major hub for the development of alternative fuel technologies and build so-called “hydrogen highway” along the M4 that will provide refueling infrastructure for zero emission vehicles. The award of the LCEA status is intended to establish Wales as the lead area in the UK for the development of alternative fuels and was kick started by the announcement that 15 hydrogen demonstration projects have been awarded a share of £7.2m from the Technology Strategy Board. In addition to new funding, the LCEA will also aim to bring together all the necessary infrastructure, skills development and incentive programmes necessary to accelerate the development of alternative fuel technologies in the region. An industry-led steering group will now begin work on driving specific projects forward, and the Welsh Assembly said that talks were already underway with carmakers, fleet and bus operators to encourage them to locate new R&D projects and vehicle trials in Wales. “Hydrogen presents exciting opportunities for low carbon energy and we want the UK to be at the forefront,” said Business Secretary Lord Mandelson. The Government is committed to encouraging and supporting growth through our low carbon industries, skills base and supply chain. That’s why we’re creating this Low Carbon Economic Area for hydrogen energy led by South Wales in close collaboration with the South West.” The new LCEA status has also been backed by the announcement of a flagship project to extend refueling infrastructure along the M4 corridor. Under the proposals, backed by a £500,000 government grant, electric car plug in facilities and hydrogen, compressed natural gas and bio methane refueling points will initially be installed along the Welsh section of the M4. More
(AD Suggests ~ Schemes like this are the way forward, but a mssive expense to roll out over the whole country.)
All new buildings to be wired with chargers ahead of release of new vehicle models marketed to middle-class families. San Francisco has adopted building codes requiring all new homes and offices to be wired for electric car chargers, in an attempt to position itself as America’s green car capital. The move comes in advance of the release this year of the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt, which promise to deliver driving distances of 40 miles or more on a single battery charge and are being marketed to middle-class families. Local authorities are launching a lending scheme next month to encourage homeowners to install their own charging stations. “If you want to put an electric charging station in your home in anticipation of all these electric vehicles, you can do it through this green financing programme,” said San Francisco’s mayor, Gavin Newsom. Newsom bought his own electric car a decade ago, and car charging stations were installed outside city hall last year. The move further solidifies California’s reputation as America’s greenest state. Over the past 30 years it has led the country in putting limits on vehicle emissions, and imposing higher efficiency standards for homes and appliances such as flatscreen TVs. Few people are predicting widespread adoption of electric cars by Americans – at least in the immediate future. But the launch of the electric vehicles is also concentrating minds in other cities, such as Houston, San Diego and Portland, Oregon, which are expected to lead demand for the new technology. More
(AD Suggests ~ Electric cars will be the way forward, schemes like this will become more common with time.)
Average speed cameras could be fitted on all of Britain’s motorways if new proposals to slash carbon emissions are approved by the Government. The devices lead to fewer accidents and speeding tickets on the roads where they are installed than normal speed cameras, a new report by the Government’s environmental advisers claims. The Sustainable Development Commission is calling for cameras to be installed on all motorways in the UK because it is predicted that if all drivers stuck to 70mph, the UK’s carbon emissions would be cut by 1.4 million tonnes. In its report the Commission says drivers slam on the brakes when they see a speed camera and accelerate away as soon as they have passed it. More
(AD Comments ~ A scheme like this would be a major boost to road safety, and would reduce emissons greatly. It would be a massive investment, and running cost to install such a high number of these cameras)
Street and motorway lights should be dimmed or switched off to save energy and let people see the stars, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution says. It says there is little evidence that such lighting significantly cuts accidents or crime. It recommends the removal of thousands of motorway lights, possibly even at junctions. Its report, Artificial Light in the Environment, also calls on councils to consider reducing street lighting. The report says that since 1993 most of the UK has become brighter, obscuring the stars, and it backs a recent paper in the scientific journal Nature that said: “Without a direct view of the stars, mankind is cut off from most of the Universe, deprived of any direct sense of its huge scale and our tiny place in it.” The commission proposes “dark- sky parks” all over Britain, with planning restrictions on outdoor lighting. The Galloway Forest Park in southern Scotland this month became Britain’s first official dark-sky park, with 7,000 stars visible there, compared with 500 in Glasgow. More
(AD Suggests ~We live in an age when the government seems to want use to be energy efficient, and yet we have many roads lit up so brightly when they are empty. Why not have reduced lighting after midnight, and switch off half the street lights)
Motorists face a huge increase in fuel duty and a £3,300 levy on new cars under plans that could see families’ green tax burden soar. A report unveiled today by experts including the Government’s environment tsar will urge £150 billion in taxes on households and businesses. Petrol could cost £2 a litre by 2020, while a tax on new cars that would start at £300 would rise by £3,000 over the next 11 years. The blitz is essential if Britain is to meet its target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by a third by that time, according to the influential think-tank behind the proposals. But critics said drivers were already over-taxed and were being used as “cash cows” More
(AD Notes ~ Sounds like motorists are going to be an even larger cash cow for the government of the future!)
The plans, drawn up by the Energy Technologies Institute would make it easier drivers to use their cars over extended distances. Already the Government has allocated £250 million to a scheme to promote carbon-friendly electric motoring. It is envisaged that as many as 50,000 electric and plug-in hybrid cars could be on Britain’s roads by the middle of the next decade. A trial is already under way in which 100 cars are being tested by members of the public. More
(AD Thoughts ~ Electric is the way forward, when power storage is perfected there will be big changes to our motoring, few years off yet perhaps.)
Motorists in York are being urged to switch to cheaper and alternative ways of getting around than by car. A car-free day will be organised next month by the City of York Council and local businesses to reduce the traffic congestion on York roads and highlight healthier modes of transport such as cycling and walking. Those registering in advance will get free travel on First and Transdev buses. Damon Copperthwaite, assistant director for City development and Transport for City of York Council, said: “York Car Free Day is about encouraging people who would usually drive into the city to try cycling, using buses or walking for the day. “The idea is to show motorists that there are cheaper, easier and more environmentally friendly and healthier alternatives to using the car.” More
(AD Comment ~ There must be many journeys that are made, that really are not necessary, a car free day may highlight this to a few. For instance how many workers everyday would crawl for 30 minutes to get to work, when they could cycle in 20 and save on fuel)
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