Should I consider my environment when buying a car?

Should I consider my environment when buying a car?

James Bell (Publisher, Auto Reviewer) gives expert video advice on: How do I find the right car?; What should I consider when buying a new car?; Should I consider my environment when buying a car? and more...

When considering a new vehicle where you're also concerned about the environment, there are two real elements to what we would call, the "greenness" of that particular vehicle. Number one is it's fuel efficiency. Obviously, if it's less dependent on fuel you're going to be taking in less, which is going to have a good impact on your wallet, but then also in the political world as well. Number two is the emissions. A lot of vehicles are held to very high standards now, as far as the allowable emissions go, so you want to make sure that they are not exceeding certain limits which are going to maybe put it in a less green stance compared to other vehicles in its class. Consideration for the environment is becoming a bigger and bigger issue in both the marketing and the sales of vehicles going forward. All stickers are required by law to identify the smog index of the vehicle; how that vehicle is going to do in emissions compared to like vehicles in its segment. So, you can do a quick glance at the sticker to see how green that vehicle is. Also, ask the sales person; have them suggest to you maybe a different engine version of the vehicle you're looking at that might be better on the environment, both from the fuel consumption, as well as the emissions that it puts out.