• A green car as one that is more energy-efficient than the average
   
• Cars are getting cleaner, however due the increase in car usage they are still seen as a key contributor to climate change due to their carbon dioxide emissions.
   
• An energy-efficient car will save you money on fuel, and save the world’s limited energy resources
   
• AT D G East we can source and recommend the best "Green" Vehicles that are conventional petrol or diesel, as well as hybrids that use an electric motor in conjunction with a petrol engine, as well as any other vehicles that may be electric or use biofuels
   
• By choosing a car with lower emissions you can help to play your part in the fight against climate change – which is agreed by scientist worldwide as being the greatest threat to our planet.

Vehicle Excise Duty

Most UK cars are liable to an annual ‘road tax’ known formally as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or Graduated Vehicle Excise Duty (GVED). VED applies to cars registered before 1 March 2001 charged by engine size. After that date GVED, based on CO2 (measured in grammes per km or g/km) is designed to encourage the manufacturers and users of more fuel efficient cars to reduce the impact on the environment.

Vehicle Excise Duty is also based on an emissions system – with cars emitting less than 100g/km being free to tax, and less than 120g/km costing just £35 per year. Whereas a high emitting car will have to pay £400 per year.

Here are the latest rates for private vehicles registered after 1 March 2001

Petrol car and diesel car

	Band   CO2 emission (g/km)   12 months rate   6 months rate   A Up to 100 Not applicable Not applicable B 101-120 £35.00 Not applicable C 121-150 £120.00 £66.00 D 151-165 £145.00 £79.75 E 166-185 £170.00 £93.50 F Over 185 £210.00 £115.50 G Over 225 – for cars registered on or after 23/03/06 £400.00 £220.00

Alternative fuel car

	Band   CO2 emission (g/km)   12 months rate   6 months rate   A Up to 100 Not applicable Not applicable B 101-120 £15.00 Not applicable C 121-150 £100.00 £55.00 D 151-165 £125.00 £68.75 E 166-185 £150.00 £82.50 F Over 185 £195.00 £107.25 G Over 225 – for cars registered on or after 23/03/06 £385.00 £211.75

However this is also set to change in 2009/2010, when the current 7 bands will increase to 13 bands, with a new band over 255g/km, and the highest emitters will have a first year cost of £950, and £455 per year in subsequent years.

For the changes that are planned, click here

Company Car Tax

Then there’s company car tax. From April 2008, again things have changed. A car with 120g/km or less of CO2 emissions  will mean significantly less tax. Swapping from an average company car to a car with 120g/km or less of CO2 will mean the employee’s income tax, and the employer’s Class 1A National Insurance, is halved.

Depreciation

Finally, for companies, there’s the accountancy stuff. Until April 2008 vehicles under 120g/km CO2 enjoyed 100% first year capital allowance. From April 2008 it has changed to 100% if it is less than 110g/km CO2. From April 2009 there will be just 10% capital allowance per year for vehicles emitting over 160g/km CO2 – this will result in such vehicle fleets being very expensive.