Cars and Going Green – How the Two Tie Together

Photo by Bruna Soares on Unsplash

There’s no denying that leading a green life comes with many benefits. Some of the benefits such as conserving the Earth’s natural resources and reducing environmental pollution are more obvious. But others are less clear at first, such as raising self-aware children and becoming more mentally strong. Today’s article will be zeroing in on an unexpected benefit of going green: cars!

The Electric Car Policies

The US government wants to thank its citizens for doing their part in saving the environment. In some cases, the government offers a grant that pays up to 35% of the cost to purchase vehicles that produce lower CO2 emissions. 

Here are some of the factors that influence how much government help you’ll get when purchasing an eco-vehicle:

• Battery capacity of plug-in vehicles
• Whether you’re among the first 200,000 people to purchase an eco-vehicle from a manufacturer
• If you bought the car in 2010 or later

Green Living and Car Insurance

Considering that car pollution is one of the leading causes of global warming; green living and car insurance are an unlikely pair, but a pair they are. Let’s explore the impact that choosing a green car has on auto insurance. 

Insurance and Hybrid Vehicles

As much as we wish it weren’t the case, the initial insurance costs for hybrid vehicles is much higher than the price for non-hybrid vehicles. This is purely because hybrids cost more to purchase and the cost to repair them is higher.

However, this outdated rule is slowly being abolished. In some states, owning a hybrid vehicle allows for a 10% premium decrease AND the possibility of tax breaks.

How You Can Be a Green Car Owner without Owning a Green Car

Even with the government’s help, not everyone can afford to purchase a green car. But even if you can’t afford to purchase an environmentally friendly vehicle, you can still do your part in going green:

• Put on your pedestrian pants: Walking wherever possible, whether it’s to the grocery store or work, is a fantastic way to support the environment. Not only will you be producing zero greenhouse gases but you’ll also be saving on fuel costs and getting some exercise.
• Carpool: If you drive your own vehicle to work find out who in the office lives nearby and start or join a carpool.
• Bicycles: The regular and electric kind! Regular bicycles are obviously great because they’re fast, inexpensive to purchase and have minimal maintenance requirements. Electric bikes on the other hand don’t emit any harmful gases and are super fast! Just bear in mind that these electric bikes often require a special license, insurance and registration. 

Final Thoughts

Going green is one of the best decisions you can make for the sake of the Earth and our children who will inhabit her for years to come. Plus, it results in cheaper car insurance premiums and who doesn’t like saving money? Why not save some money AND save the planet at the same time?