Most Fuel Efficient and Eco Friendly Cars
A car that is more fuel efficient is sure to be environment friendly and easy on the pocket. With the fuel prices gradually hiking up, car fuel economy is among the most looked at specifications. Fuel efficient cars are the result of the recent developments and concerns related to global warming and CO2 emissions from cars. Since these cars release fewer amounts of C02 and therefore result in low car tax rates as well. Cars are ranked as fuel efficient based on the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) miles per gallon ratings. The list of these alternative efficient cars pertains to cars that are capable of accomplishing the best gas mileage due to their explicit features and engine performance. You can find a variety of fuel efficient cars for sale and some of them are listed below:

Honda Civic Hybrid

This truer green car use petrol and battery power alternately to make the best use of both. The car has a four-cylinder gasoline engine accompanied by an electric motor/generator and gives 40 mpg on the city and 45 mpg on the highway. This truly comfortable and convenient car also has an idle-stop feature that temporarily shuts off the petrol engine when the car stops to save fuel and minimize emissions. The car is best suited for the people having car fuel economy, interior design, reliability and safety features as their main preferences.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Camry Hybrid has the car fuel economy rating of 43 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The car uses gasoline as fuel and runs using a four-cylinder engine. According to the test results, Toyota Camry Hybrid produces the lowest amount of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide and is very environment friendly. The car uses Hybrid Synergy Drive system to remain at a single gear even if the speed changes. This highly fuel efficient car also features innovative design and outstanding comfort.

Nissan Altima Hybrid

The Nissan Altima Hybrid combines impressive fuel economy with comfort, performance, utility and technology. The Altima runs using four-cylinder engine accompanied by electric motor and achieves 35 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Both gasoline and electric aspects operate together or one at a time depending on driving conditions, to optimize car fuel economy and power. This alternative efficient car is perfect for those who want their hybrid to feel like a regular car.

Mini Cooper

The MINI Cooper has the fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The car is known as a fun car to drive and has an impressively large amount of interior space. The MINI Cooper is heavily modernized and despite the small, frugal engine and tiny dimensions, it's designed to ride and handle like a sports car.

Hydro cars or hydrogen fuel cell cars also offer a simple and cheap way to improve gas mileage for your cars. But these cars create certain problems that haven't been completely tackled yet. However scientists and engineers have begun working on how to make it better.

DVLA Car Tax

Car Tax UK
In today's world driving a car has become indeed very expensive due to the increased car tax rates that one needs to pay for their vehicle. The road car tax is evaluated on the basis of the engine size or CO2 emission levels depending on the age of the car. These CO2 emissions are measured in grams per kilometre (g/km) driven. The official CO2 emissions figure can be found on the V5 registration document and this can be used further to determine the road tax rates.

The basic idea behind the road car tax online is to crack down on the vehicles that cause the high rate of pollution. The UK government encourages the use of fuel efficient greener cars that produces less CO2. Based on the CO2 emission levels car tax rates can be determined in a series of payment bands.

There are a series of seven car road tax bands, A to G as announced in 2008 budget but it is set to rise to 13 car tax bands from 2009. The current highest tax band, band G, was added in the 2006 budget and applies only to cars newly registered after 23 March 2006. However the cars like electric and hybrid cars are exempted from the road tax.

According to the UK government the new car tax rates will be introduced in the year 2009 that will cover more car tax bands based on the CO2 emission than that existing in the current system. The road car tax rises will be a maximum of £5 in 2009 but from April 2010, the car tax rates can be up to £30. All those car owners who own fuel efficient greener cars would see no change in their car tax rates, or a reduction of up to £30 whereas those using LPG or biofuel would continue to receive a small discount.

Thus from April 2009, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) would be made applicable to those who drive inefficient cars that cause pollution. From April 2010, there will be a new "first year" tax rate for new cars, those releasing more than 160 g/km C02 emissions will be accountable for increased payments. For those new cars emitting over 255g/km C02 emissions on the road it will cost £950.00, £455.00 of which will be the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). The cars that emit under 130g/km of C02 will be excused from the tax for the first year.

Here are some taxing tips that can help you to cut down on your car tax expenses:

- Always refer to the DVLA's new online services in case you wish to renew your car tax online.

- Use the car tax calculator online to find out the amount you will have to pay and CO2 data on your car or other road vehicle.

- Always check with the dealer or refer to the V5 for the vehicle when you're buying to check for the level of CO2 emissions.

- You can cut down on your motoring expenses through the use environment friendly or fuel efficient cars that cause less emissions.

- You can go for hybrid or electric cars or have an alternative to petrol such as LPG.

Buying a New Car
Today when the complete world has transformed into the global village, our necessities have changed. It's no longer that life can be spend with just food, water and clothing, to live it fully we need more than just these. One of the most sought assets today is car. Having our own car makes our daily chores easy and fills life with the flavour of comfort. Buying a new car is not just as simple as going to the dealer and getting one for you. The real player is the one who finds the best deal which is quite tuff in car industry.

If you are planning to buy new car, do your homework. You need not to get yourself a new car buying guide, but you should keep in mind some points that will surly help you get best new car deals. So, here are few important tips on buying a new car:  

Set Your Budget

First thing to be done after the idea of car buying pops into your head is to set an appropriate budget. Proper budget must be determined before you proceed in buying a new car as it helps you decide how much you are willing to pay but do leave some room for the negotiation when it comes to the dealer's price. This will not only help you maintain your financial budget but also lead to a fruitful negotiation with dealer.

Do Your Homework

Once you are done with your budget, now it's time to do some research. Decide the model you want to get for yourself. An important word here is that go for cars that are available with dealers in abundance, because for such models you will get a better deal as dealer would wish to clear the lot as soon as possible. After deciding your choice, study it. Do search for its good and bad. It will let you compare the prices at different vendors and be the leader during negotiation.

Look for the Best Deal

One should always be clear about how to buy a car. It is not as simple as buying a shampoo from a nearby departmental store. Try looking for car which will attract least car tax, mainly greener cars. You need to be smart and patient. If you wish to finance your new vehicle, look for deal that suits your needs. Try not getting lured by attractive finance offers or extra incentives like insurance covers etc rather stick to negotiation over the car price.  

Prefer Buying the Car at the End of the Month

It can help you get the best possible deal. As the end of the month arrives, the dealer rush to boost their sales figures to either complete their sales quota or get maximum incentives, so, this is the most appropriate time to buy a new car as dealers are ready to lower their prices. Most of the manufacturers provide highest rebates and dealership money by the end of the model year i.e. during months of March, April, August and September. Also, Saturday mornings are good to get a car since dealers tend to maximize their sales as going to the weekend.

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance

Car Tax

The cost of driving continuing to increase and driving your car or any vehicle is becoming more and more expensive for petrol, car tax and insurance.

There is little good news for a car owner as the government promotes more fuel efficient greener cars that produce less C02. What will you have to pay? Find your car tax online rates here.

The UK Government has however, confirmed they would delay a planned 2 pence / litre increase in fuel duty - 2008 budget - postponed for 6 months? They also introduced more tax incentives to encourage people to buy greener, more efficient cars:

To further incentivise the use of cleaner cars, new tax rates will still be introduced:

From April 2009 the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), will be overhauled to penalise those who drive inefficient cars. From April 2010, there will be a new "first year" tax rate for new cars, those emitting more than 160 g/km (C02 emissions) will be liable for increased payments. To put a new car emitting over 255g/km on the road it will cost £950.00, £455.00 of which will be the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Any car emitting under 130g/km of C02 (carbon dioxide) will be exempt tax for the first year.

'The road tax system is designed to support the use of greener, carbon-efficient cars to help reduce average carbon dioxide levels in new cars. If people choose to purchase a less greener / cleaner car they will pay more. The changes should provide an incentive to manufacturers and motorists.'

The UK Government issues the prices of car tax that is determined in payment bands that you will pay based on those carbon emission levels. The most environmentally friendly cars, such as electric and hybrid cars will be exempt from any road tax. With the ever-increasing costs, cutting down on your motoring expenses should be a high priority.

You can check out this Car tax calculator online to find out the amount you will have to pay and CO2 data on your car or other road vehicle.