75% of us don't know how much CO2 our current car emits ( 1). Using more fuel efficient vehicles cuts running costs and reduces CO2 emissions.
Find tips on choosing more efficient vehicles, different fuels and where to get information on emissions ratings for new and used cars.
Think about what your requirements really are and what size or type of car you need to meet them. For example, if your children have left home do you really need a large family car?
Smaller cars tend to be more fuel efficient but there can be large variations between the emissions of cars in the same market category. This means there's no need to compromise on style and features.
Choosing the most efficient car in its class could drive down your annual fuel costs by £335 in Scotland.
Also a more efficient car will cut your road tax costs. Car tax is zero for cars with very low emissions but for cars with high emissions, road tax can cost up to £435 a year for existing cars, or up to £950 for the first year for a new car.
Use our handy Buying an efficient car search tool to find an energy efficient car to suit your needs.
When choosing a new car it’s easy to check out its fuel efficiency. In adverts for new cars, manufacturers are required by law to state figures for each vehicle's fuel efficiency and how much CO2 it produces.
In the showroom, each new car must display a Fuel Economy label.
These rate cars from A (very efficient) to M (not efficient) and are similar to Energy Efficiency labels found on household products and Energy Performance Certificates for buildings.
The grade will also tell you how much annual road tax you'll have to pay after the first year, from zero for the cleanest, band A cars up to £435 a year for band M (2010 rates).
New cars in bands A-D also enjoy the first year tax free, whilst cars in band M are penalised with a first year rate of £950.
The most fuel efficient cars in each class save an average of £125 on their annual road tax.
Use our handy Buying an efficient car search tool to find information on fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and road tax bands for new cars.
If you are looking to buy a used vehicle registered before 2000, visit the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders website to find out the emissions and fuel efficiency of your car.
For cars registered after 2001, use our handy Buying an efficient car search tool to find information on fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and road tax bands for used cars.
Diesel cars usually produce less CO2 than petrol equivalents but produce more of the emissions that cause pollution and affect our health.
A diesel particulate filter (DPF) reduces these harmful emissions from diesel engines. Most manufacturers now sell cars with DPFs, but you may have to request this as an extra.
Meanwhile, modern petrol cars are becoming increasingly efficient, so it really does pay to check the emissions figures.
Hybrid cars have a conventional engine and an electrical motor powered by batteries. The batteries are recharged while you drive. Hybrids are increasingly popular. Some models can travel over 65 miles on one gallon of fuel.
However, hybrids are usually at their most fuel efficient in urban driving situations. If your motoring is largely on main roads and motorways a hybrid may not be the most efficient choice for you.
(1) Statistic from consumer research commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust and carried out by ICM in July 2008.
