A UK based What Car? survey has revealed that two-thirds of prospective new car purchasers will be looking to buy a greener vehicle in the next 12 months.

However, 47% of purchasers say they will be buying a greener car for financial reasons, while only 19% say environmental issues are the main factors for their next car. And the same results can be expected in Ireland, coming in the weeks running to the July 1, VRT change deadline.

There are a few useful tips in controlling your motoring costs.

• Driving at 95km/hr uses up to 9% less fuel than at 110km/hr and, on more advanced vehicles, motorists can take advantage of cruise control – a steady speed is also more fuel efficient.
• Keep weight down – ensure your car is as free of clutter as possible, and remove roof and bicycle racks when not in use.
• Plan your journey and use a satellite-navigation system or on-line routing site before you set off. Getting lost or stuck in traffic pumps additional CO2 into the atmosphere.
• Travel outside of rush hour to avoid congestion.
• Try not to use all of your car gadgets at once – they all use energy and contribute to your vehicle’s CO2 output.
• Be a better driver and read the road ahead – hang back from the traffic in front so you don’t have to brake and accelerate every time it slows down and speeds up.
• Turn engines off when stuck in traffic or when waiting for passengers to arrive.
• Consider offsetting your emissions – look at websites such as www.climatecare.org that can help calculate your CO2 output.
• Look at car sharing, set up a system at your place of work or start a car-sharing school-run.

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