 Shopping smarter… CARS
You know you should be on your bike or on foot, but there are time when only four wheels will do. I admit the car above doesn't really qualify as 'hot'. Venturi's Eclectic is a high-concept vehicle with solar, wind and electric power but not much pulling power. Still, you can always stay home each night polishing your green halo. Or hit the road in an electric Venturi Fetish, whose sleek and sexy style would satisfy even a man in the midst of a midlife crisis. If you buy an electric car, it should be exempt from road tax, vehicle excise duty and the London Congestion charge. You can even get short-term free parking at meters and pay-and-display bays in Westminster, the City and elsewhere (take a look at electricparking.com for details and info on re-charging infrastructure).  The G-Wiz is the hottest electric car on the block. Winner of several green car awards, it's the most popular earth-kind car in London, with celebs like Kirstin Scott Thomas and Jonathan Ross on board. This nippy car is emission-free (when charged via renewable sources) and even carbon neutral, thanks to distributor GoinGreen's offsets.
Other popular city runabouts include the zippy ZENN (zero emissions, no noise) and the Mega City electric car (built in France and available in the UK exclusively from the NICE Car Company).  
For all the latest green car news, log on to WhatGreenCar.com, the UK's independent guide to the best green cars (including electric, hybrid and low-emission petrol). And visit GreenCarSite.co.uk for car reviews, news and green car classifieds. |
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Shopping less… CARS
This Alliance Against Urban 4x4s T-shirt denounces today's supersized cars, but whatever car is currently in your garage, could you drive it less – or even get rid of it altogether?
Instead of hopping in a car, hail a green cab from Greentomatocars, which has an all-Prius fleet. The Prius emits less than half the CO2 of a black cab.
Take a look at Sustrans for inspiration on all sorts of car-free journeys, and if you're in London, visit the award-winning WalkIt.com (it's like sat-nav for pedestrians!) If you're using public transport, visit Transport for London for news, deals and a journey planner to help you find the most hassle-free car-free way to get where you need to go.
 Car clubs are gaining in popularity as people recognise the wisdom of only paying for a car when you actually use it. They're great for reducing road congestion (it's estimated that each club car takes up to 20 private cars off the road) and you should save a packet over owning your own. Club cars average around £5 per hour (you usually need to buy a smartcard and pay an insurance deposit to join up).  The UK’s largest car club is Streetcar, featuring low-emission VW Golfs and Polos and now VW Transporter vans, handy for those times when you need to schlep more than a hatchback can hold.  WhizzGo offers Citroen C3 cars at £4.95 an hour, including VAT, fuel, insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance, road tax, servicing, maintenance and even the London congestion charge. Other car clubs include Zipcar and City Car Club. So what are you waiting for? Join up now to enjoy the pleasures of driving – without all the hassles. |
The Green Pound 