The Importance Of Car Insurance

If you have a car, then you would need car insurance. The best car insurance can protect your car from any inconvenience should a likely car accident occur. But you should also be careful of what kind of car insurance you have. There are a lot of them available out there but not all can give you that coverage that you might be looking for.

As most other types of insurance available to choose from, the same thing goes with insuring your own car. There are different types that you can choose from, depending on what your needs are. There are liability car insurance policies that cover for accidental bodily injury as well as property damage to others. There are also policies that cover only damages caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects. There are also comprehensive car insurance policies that cover for loss or damage to the insured vehicle caused by circumstances other than car accidents. This may include car damage or loss due to fire, hail, vandalism, or theft.

Another type of car insurance policy available for you covers for medical expenses for injuries caused by a car accident regardless of fault. There is also a type of car insurance policy called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that covers an insured driver for injuries acquired from a car accident, regardless of fault. There are also car insurance policies that can cover a motorist from car damages in a car accident with a driver who doesn't have liability insurance.

There is also a type of policy for covering car damages caused by a car accident caused by the other driver who has insufficient liability insurance. Fro rental cars, there is also a type of car insurance that will pay for damages caused by an accident on the road. These types of car insurance can also be found in combination to give you a variety of policies to choose from. Knowing what your exact needs are and being aware of the minimum car insurance requirement in the place where you live in can help you in being able to choose the best car insurance policy to cover your own vehicle.

There are useful tips available to help you look for a good car insurance policy that can help you keep your premium payments down to a minimum. In looking for good car insurance, you should also try looking for car insurance available for you online. You might be able to avail of discounts for car insurance policies purchased online. You can also try to limit your car's mileage before you try to get an insurance quote for it. The lower the mileage, the lower the insurance quote. Try not to modify or customize your car as it might affect your car insurance coverage.

You can also try to restrict the number of drivers on your car insurance policy as it might increase your premium payments later on. If you want to avail of good but affordable car insurance, then you can choose to drive a cheap but dependable vehicle because such cars can have policies that can well cover for damages at a very affordable premium. These are just but a few tips for you in getting that car insurance the cheaper way. A car insurance policy can greatly benefit a regular driver like you. It is never to early too get one for your car. You may never be able to handle the regret if you realizeits need a little too late

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Car Cost Considerations for Young Drivers

So you are a young driver and you have just got your first car but there are many extra costs which you may not have thought about. There are of course the essentials such as car tax, fuel and car insurance which can all mount up. But there are many companies that will offer discounts on young driver car insurance. There are also safety and security features that your car does not have that you may want to consider installing. Here are a few details on extra costs involved with car ownership.

Essential car costs:

Car insurance

Make sure that you purchase a good car insurance policy before you even consider driving out in your new car so that you are covered for any eventuality. There are many young driver car insurance policies out there designed especially for you. Shop around to make sure that you get an affordable policy, online car insurance is a good place to start.

Car Tax

The law in the UK states that it is essential for all vehicles kept or used on public roads to display a valid tax disc. This shows the police that vehicle tax has been paid, the vehicle has passed its MOT and is covered by at least third party motor insurance. Car tax for private vehicles costs between £60 and £170 per year depending on fuel type and CO2 emissions.

Car Fuel

Obviously you need fuel to run your car but there are various different types on the market, petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas and compressed natural gas to name a few. Often your engine will be designed for either petrol or diesel and filling the tank with the wrong fuel can cause serious damage to your car, so take care. You can save money on fuel by purchasing a car with good fuel-economy which is measured by miles per gallon. Ask your car dealer about fuel economy before purchasing. 

Car safety features

Anti-lock brakes

This relatively new safety device is designed to bring a car to a halt more quickly than conventional brakes. ABS prevent the breaks from locking so that the car does not skid and in turn increase the driver's control over the car. This is a great safety feature that could potentially prevent road accidents from happening or at least stop your car from being involved. It is well worth the extra cost of investing in a car with ABS.

Air bags

Frontal airbags are now installed in most cars in the steering wheel hub or dashboard. They can also be fitted in the sides of a car for extra protection in case of side impact crashes. Airbags inflate in an instant after a sudden impact to protect those involved in a car crash from serious personal injuries. Seatbelts should also be worn by law, even when an air bag is fitted. If an air bag does not come as standard with your car then having them installed by a retailer is advisable.

Child seat

If you have your own young child or will be ferrying around a younger sibling a child car seat is a must. Car seats for children under three years are required by law in the front seat and are recommended for the back seat as well. This is purely for the safety of the child who would be thrown about inside the car with the impact of a car accident, causing serious injuries or worse to themselves and other passengers. 

Car security features

There are many security devices that have been recommended by the police and security experts across the UK to help you to keep your car from being stolen. Although the initial cost of some of these features may be fairly high they could save you a fortune in the long run. Having your car stolen will inevitably cost you a lot more money, time and inconvenience than a few security measures. Also, some car insurance companies will reduce your premium rates if you have extra security for your car since it will be at less risk of being a crime target. Here a few examples of security devices on the market:

Car alarm - to let every one know your car is at risk form thieves

Central locking - so you don't forget to lock up

Deadlocks - double locks for extra security

Immobiliser - stops your car from going anywhere, mostly fitted as standard now

Locking wheel nuts - you don't want those alloy wheels rolling off

Lockable fuel caps - so you don't lose a full tank to thieves

Security etching - have your registrationetched in so any parts stolen can be matched to your car

Removable panel/security coded car stereo equipment - some manufacturers fit stereos with components that will not fit into another model, you don't want someone else playing your tunes 

Remember that there are some costs that you must fork out for when you start driving but young drivers could save themselves a fortune with a few initial costs of installing safety systems which could help save lives and security systems that could reduce your car insurance rates.

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Protect Your Ride - How To Choose A Car Seat Cover

If you are one of those people who are highly obsessed with one's car or if you are one of those obsessive compulsive types who freaks when it comes to everything then a good car seat cover will ensure the protection of your car seat! Protection from any dirt or stain will be a good thing as it means you will have to clean the inside of your car less.

1. Incredible Protection

Sellers of car seat covers actually suggest that a great car seat cover to buy is a custom-fit car seat cover for your car. Why? Because a custom-fit car seat cover will be able to protect your beloved car from any dust or stains and it will also keep your car into looking like show-room new. If you will be strict at keeping your car's car seat cover on, it will surely be able to bring it all sorts of positive effects for your car.

2. A Custom Job Is Best

It is best to have some custom-fit car seat covers be made for your car since not all car seats are created with the exact size proportions. A good car seat cover should ensure that there is a snug fit yet not too tight since it will not be good for your car seats either. A lot of people who want custom-fit car seat covers for their cars actually wants to customize the car seat covers a little farther by being able to have the liberty of picking out whichever car seat cover would they want to have as well as the kind of fabric that they want to be used on their car seat cover as well as if ever they're being adventurous, the type of pattern or design that they want their car seat cover to have.

There are all sorts of car seat cover options that it is really quite easy for a person to get overwhelmed. So when it comes to shopping for a car seat cover it is best to step back a bit, relax and clear your head from all sorts of distractions. This is not really being over dramatic since shopping for a car seat cover is a fairly important decision that you would not want to waste your hard earned money on.

3. Fabrics

Leather, is extremely popular when it comes to making car seat covers because it looks elegant and classy inside the car. If you have a beat up old jalopy then it is best to reconsider since it may look weird inside old cars and won't be a good return on your money should you ever choose to sell the car (unless, of course, it is a classic car). Another good point to consider when it comes to choosing leather as a car seat cover is that some cars when left under the sun for too long easily absorbs heat. The heat will be stored inside the car and some leather materials (maybe the fake ones) can actually be extremely hot to sit on. You will actually have to wait awhile before you will be able to sit inside your car or you could just endure the blistering heat since after around 30 minutes or so the air conditioning inside the car will be able to dissipate the extreme heat.

Other good notes to consider when it comes to buying car seat covers is to actually have the color of your car seat cover not clash with your car's exterior paint color. When in doubt, choose neutrals like black, gray, or white. Remember, you will actually be spending a bit more when it comes to having your car seat cover custom made. Still it will be really worth if you are able to come up with the best possible car seat cover for your car.

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Fuel Card Services: What To Expect

For any business owner, managing costs carefully is essential. From employees to daily out-goings; there are many money matters to consider if a business is to ensure it is able to keep its head firmly above water. For businesses with any form of travel be it deliveries and drop offs or staff members constantly moving between offices, you'll no doubt be aware of just how difficult fuel costs can be to manage.

Many businesses will stress over where and how they can cut costs but often find themselves falling into a pit and simply giving up when it comes to fuel costs after-all they can't possibly be cut can they? You need fuel so you might as well just accept that your company is going to forever have to deal with a mountain of receipts and a never-ending fuel charge... or is there something that you might actually be able to do about it?

For businesses of all shapes and sizes looking for a way to better manage and potentially lower the costs their drivers accumulate; fuel cards are the answer. Like a credit card but strictly for fuel, the right fuel card and the services on offer by independent companies can in fact make your life a whole lot easier.

Not sure what a fuel card and its services can do for your business? The below points will highlight a few of the basics that will be sure to get you running straight to your nearest fuel cardspecialist...

· Many fuel cards work in the style of an actual credit card, you simply allow your drivers to purchase fuel whilst you pay off the weekly invoice that you receive. In many cases you will often be allocated an account manager who can provide you with weekly fuel costs so that you know what to expect and even fixed rates so that you won't have any unexpected surprises.

· Many companies often pay drivers by the mile but this fixed driving rate can end up costing a great deal. With fuel card management services you will be able to know exactly how much fuel is being used and how far a company is actually travelling via online reports. Online reports are one of the prime services that can help you easily deal with the burden of ongoing fuel costs. Easily accessed 24 hours a day, through online reports you will be able to see how much fuel each driver is using, what fuel is being purchased and at what station. These online reports can help you to do the following...

1. Determine whether your drivers are taking the most sensible routes

2. Analyze which of your drivers/vehicles are costing you the most fuel

3. Find out whether or not a driver has stopped outside of the suggested route

With the answer to all of these questions you should be able to easily determine where you can cut costs and save vital money.

· One of the other prime benefits of a fuel card is the elimination of fuel receipts. With a single invoice on your account, no matter how many cards you may have, knowing how much is being spent on fuel couldn't be easier. One single invoice will also make it easier for your business to claim VAT.

In the hands of the right fuel card company not only can you gain better access and insights into your company's fuel intake but can make the most of all the right services to monitor each and every one of your drivers and cut costs in the most beneficial ways.

Cutting fuel costs isn't an impossible task; with the right tools and services, you'll never have to face being swamped under an endless amount of receipts wondering how you will ever manage again!

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Fleet Fuel Cards: What To Look For

For any company with a fleet of drivers at the centre of its operations, one of the biggest financial worries to deal with is the cost of fuel. Unpredictable and rarely low, the cost of fuel is always difficult to deal with which is why many companies are now investing in fleet fuel cards.

Designed for the purchase of fuel alone, as a business whether you choose an independent fuel card company or a national brand you will be allocated one specific account and within this specific account you can provide each of your individual drivers with their own card. With this, you eliminate the hassle of receipts and in return have better control of how much is being spent and by whom.

Fuel cards are likened to credit cards; simple, easy to use and none of the stress and worry that would often come with large cash transactions. Designed and proven to make life easier, whatever the size of your fleet; the right card will not only give you much-needed control but can also help you make vital savings.

With so many businesses now offering what they claim is the best deal for your fleet fuel management needs, you'll need to know just what services and benefits to keep an eye out for in order to ensure you are in fact getting the best deal possible...

·         Locations - Before signing up to any company it is important to consider the locations where the card can be used. The majority of cards will be accepted at thousands of pumps across the UK but double-check on this in order to ensure that there are not any restrictions that may throw your drivers off route.

·         How it Works - It is important to confirm how your card will work. Some of the best companies will allow you to assign an individual card with its own unique number to each employee who in return will provide you with the ability to vigorously track every driver and their fuel usage. This kind of exact monitoring is great for picking up any errors and finding the best places to cut costs.

·         Efficiency - One of the most crucial things for a business to deal with is the pressure that comes with ensuring that fleets are efficient as possible, so ask yourself how much you’re chosen card can help with this. This may sometimes appear difficult to track but by using a fuel site locator you can plan stricter routes and ensure that your drivers are not taken unexpectedly far due to a difficult to reach fuel station. You can also use your account to determine whether any specific routes are costing more fuel than expected and begin to work on resolving the issue.

·         Security - Whether a small, medium or large-sized fleet managing your fuel costs can be next to impossible. Although doubting your employees is that you will want to do, it is naturally going to be important that you ensure that you are only paying for the fuel you need and no added extras. This is where management services come in. Does your chosen company provide you with a dedicated accountmanager? How much access will you get to your account? The more you can see and the more that is regularly monitored, the less likely you will be to lose out.

Saving money is always high on the list of must-haves for any business owner but when it comes to fuel it can always seem like an impossible task. Fuel cards however are designed to take away the stress of fuel costs and help you manage your business a little better but not every card company will be the same.

Do your homework and know exactly what to look for in order to ensure that when you do begin your hunt for a fuel card, you only get the right one for your business.

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Autumn Driving Tips

Whether an experienced driver or a newbie, we all know that weather conditions can have a huge and often worrying effect on the state of our driving. From the struggle that our vehicles go through to get started to the effort required for them to stay in great condition to of course the effect that rain, sleet and snow can have on the roads; the moment the summer disappears, driving can become incredibly difficult.

Whether you have done it a million times or are new to it all, the autumn months can present numerous issues to drivers. From the harsher temperatures, to the unexpected icy mornings to the abundance of leaves all over the place; just because there's no Christmas snow doesn't mean that drivers won't need to be prepared for some difficult conditions.

There are several issues that both new and experienced drivers will need to consider in order to ensure that however long their journey, it is as safe as possible. Below are just a few of the more crucial autumn driving tips that stand out of the crowd...

·         Roads covered in leaves are not an uncommon sight. Unless you can drive around them and completely avoid them, slow down as leaves can be surprisingly slippery. It is also important to remain aware that the leaves may cover road markings, pot holes and any bumps in the road so be careful and stay alert.

·         Visibility is crucial as it begins to get darker which is why it is important to ensure that you don't have anything that could cause any additional problems. Clear both your windscreen and your wipers from any leaves and/or dust and dirt that may have gathered.

·         You don't need snow to be faced with slippery driving conditions. The risk of ice is always present in the colder months so ensure you are driving sensibly. Allow for plenty of room between your car and the car in front and drive slowly and gently, particularly over areas that may be affected with black ice.

·         Preparation can make a phenomenal level of difference particularly when it comes to driving. For those who are about to face their first autumn and winter driving, why not try to get as much practice in as possible? Although you can't simulate snow or ice, driving in the evenings as often as possible is a great way to improve, your skills and awareness and will give you a great understanding of just how different it can be to drive in conditions completely opposite to the day, day time roads you may be used to.

Driving, whatever the weather always requires a good set of skills but in the winter the requirement for skill easily increases tenfold! Give yourself the best chance at safety by not only preparing with a car service but by preparing yourself for the potential situations that may lie ahead.

We can never predict what the winter months will throw our way but we can give ourselves a helping hand nonetheless by knowing exactly what to look out for!

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7 Useful Things to Have in the Car

For those that despise clutter and prefer to travel light, it is necessary to carefully consider the most useful and practical items to carry in the car. There are a variety of helpful things to keep in the car that go beyond safety and emergency items. Here are seven of the worthwhile items to consider having ready and available in the vehicle at all times:

Emergency kit - A practical addition to the car trunk is a standard emergency kit, which comes complete with tire gauge, flashlight, energy bars, water, poncho, radio, shovel, first-aid kit, etc. For the flashlight, a crank-handle model is a more practical option than the battery-powered units because it reduces the chance of being inconvenienced by flat batteries. Also, a couple of Mylar/emergency blankets are great to store in the glove box in the event of an emergency. These blankets are tiny and cheap.

Umbrella - Umbrellas are small, cheap, and certain to benefit any vehicle owner that is unfortunate to get caught out in a torrential downpour.

Phone Charger - A cell phone charger unit designed to fit the cigarette lighter can give a fast and convenient solution to charge the almost depleted phone battery. Alternatively, a solar phone charger is just as effective at putting life back into the cell phone.

GPS Unit - A reliable GPS navigation system is certain to help with navigating the one-off or rarely traveled routes. Make sure to include the power cord in the vehicle for the navigation system to avoid having a dead GPS. Also, include a detailed map of the local area in the car, which will ensure you can still navigate if the GPS fails on you.

Long Shelf-Life Snacks - If you already have an emergency kit, this should include protein bars or MREs. But, other simple and convenient food items can be kept in the car for snack time, such as crackers, dried fruits, or small packs of cookies. Most of these types of snacks stay fresh well in a vehicle and a practical choice to fill the hungry stomach for the young or old.

Money - A small amount of emergency money in small bills and change is certain to help in a variety of situations, from meter change to tipping a tow truck.

Shovel - A compact or collapsible shovel is certain to help those that live in regions that experience the colder climate conditions and occasional snowdrift.

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A Few Tips to New Drivers

A ton of research has been done on new drivers. The resulting factors are actually quite terrible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states:-

1. The new drivers are seen to have the maximum number of accidents.

2. Crashes in motor-cycles are the causes of death of most 15-20 year olds. 40% of teen deaths in every town are caused by this.

3. 50% of all fatal accidents happen at night when 16-19 year olds are driving.

4. The hours of 9:00 to 6:00 are the time for 43% of all teen motor vehicle deaths.

5. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is the time for 54% of all motor vehicle deaths.

6. Alcohol is involved in about 36% of the crashes responsible for killing young people.

In case you choose not to be a part of these statistics, here are a few tips to help you go through these:-

1. Seat belts- Make sure you always wear your seat belt and do not move the car until all the passengers have buckled up.

2. Timing-A major reason for accidents in teens has been speeding. The faster your car is moving, the longer it takes to stop. This in turn increases the impact, leading to greater chances of damage. Always take enough time and make sure that you do not cause accidents due to sheer speeding.

3. Distance-a car moving at 50 kemps takes a certain amount of distance to come to a halt. Practically it takes about 14 meters to stop from that distance. Make sure you are always this distance away to avoid collision.

4. Driving Conditions- Raining, snowing, foggy or icy driving has to be done below the speed limit if you prefer safety. You may otherwise postpone your travels for other days.

5. No texturing while driving-never let your attention get away from the road. Distractions can be very dangerous; especially for new drivers. Eating, drinking, texturing or calling, they all fall in the category of the not-to-do list while you are at driving duty.

6. Adjust every accessory-Mirrors, seat, stereo must all be in place before you start driving. All loose objects that you are carrying must all be secured at the end of your car.

7. Never drive if you are sleepy.

8. Driving at nights, must, better be done after you have enough practice.

9. Try parking in a way, so you don't have to back-up as your first move, when you start your car.

10. Watch out for you, but in the process doesn't neglect others.

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Electric and Hybrid Cars - The Flourish of The Outlook

It seems like we've been waiting forever for electric cars to come along, but after more false starts than you'll see at the London Olympics this year, it looks like the electric car is finally here to stay.

Now, we need to start with some boring terminology: A true electric car (EV, for Electric Vehicle) has no petrol engine as backup, so you are reliant on the batteries having enough charge to get you to where you need to go. The Nissan Leaf is the best-known (and best) electric car currently on sale.

A regular hybrid uses an electric motor and/or a petrol motor, depending on the circumstances. You don't plug it into a wall socket as the batteries charge while you are driving. A typical journey, even a short one, will use both electric and petrol power to drive the wheels. The Toyota Pries is the most popular and best-known hybrid on sale around the world.

A plug-in hybrid, "range-extending" electric car, is technically more of a fancy hybrid than a true EV although it drives more like an EV than a regular hybrid. In practice it might be a huge difference or none at all, depending on how you use the car. A range-extender, or plug-in hybrid as it's more commonly known, has a petrol engine which can be used to power the electric motor once the batteries have drained, but the petrol engine does not directly drive the wheels*. The Vauxhall Ampere/Chevrolet Volt twins are the leading example of this type of car, and they claim an urban fuel consumption of 300mpg (yep, that's three hundred. Not a typo!)

A car running on an electric motor is usually very quiet (eerie silence or a distant hum instead of a clearly audible petrol engine) and smooth (no vibrations from engine or gearbox). The response from the car away from rest is both immediate and powerful, as electric motors generate huge amounts of torque instantly. They're quiet from the outside to, to such an extent that the EU is considering making audible warnings compulsory in the future as pedestrians simply won't hear an electric car coming.

In terms of exciting handling, electric cars are usually not brilliant, it must be said. They tend to be very heavy and usually run tires & wheels more beneficial for economy than handling. But as a commuter vehicle around town, they are zippy and efficient. Plus they generate less noise, heat and pollution into the street so a traffic jam of Nissan Leafs in the city would be a lot more pleasant for passing pedestrians.

The batteries on a typical electric car only give it enough range for a few miles (although a true EV will have a bigger battery pack as it doesn't have to fit a petrol engine & fuel tank as well), so the cars use various means to charge the battery while driving. Usually this involves converting kinetic energy from coasting and braking to electric energy to store in the batteries. The Frisker Karma even has solar cells in its roof to charge the batteries as well.

However, a longer journey will inevitably mean that the batteries are drained. In a fully electric car that means you have to stop and charge the batteries, so hopefully you parked near a power socket somewhere and have several hours to find something else to do. In a hybrid, the petrol engine will start up to provide the power. In a regular hybrid like a Pries, the car effectively becomes an ordinary petrol car, albeit with a fairly underpowered engine pushing a heavy car around so it's not swift. In a 'range extender' like the Ampere/Volt, the petrol engine provides energy to the electric motor to drive the wheels, which is more efficient in both performance and economy. Depending on how you're driving, any spare energy from the petrol engine can be used to charge up the batteries again, so the car may switch back to electric power once charging is complete.

So what does this mean in the real world?

Well, how much of the following driving do you do? We're assuming here that the batteries are fully charged when you set off.

Short trips (<50 miles between charges).

These sorts of journeys are ideal for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, as the batteries will cope with the whole journey and also get some charge while you drive. A regular hybrid will still need to use the petrol engine, although how much depends on how you drive it and how much charging it is able to get along the way.

Medium trips (50-100 miles between charges).

These are the sorts of trips that give EV drivers plenty of stress, as the traffic conditions may mean you run out of juice before you make it to your charging point. A plug-in hybrid or regular hybrid will be fine because they can call on the petrol engine. In a regular hybrid, this means the car will be petrol powered for most of the journey. In a plug-in hybrid, it will be mainly electric with the petrol engine kicking in to top up the batteries if needed late in the journey.

Longer trips (100+ miles between charges)

Not feasible in a fully-electric car, as you will almost certainly run out of electricity before you get there. The regular hybrid is basically a petrol car for almost the whole journey and the plug-in hybrid is majority electric but supplemented by petrol in a far more efficient way than a regular hybrid.

The pros and cons:

Let's summaries the three types of electrically-powered cars:

Regular hybrid (egg - Toyota Pries)

PROS: cheaper, no charging required, no range anxiety, regular petrol engine makes it feel like a regular petrol car

CONS: only very short journeys (a few miles at best) will be fully electric, small battery pack and weak petrol engine means relatively poor performance compared to a normal petrol car or a fully electric car, poor economy when driven hard (like most Pries minicabs in London...), not very spacious for passengers and luggage due to carrying petrol and electric power trains in one car

Fully electric car (EV) (egg - Nissan Leaf)

PROS: powerful electric motor gives much better performance than a regular hybrid, larger battery pack means longer electric running, no petrol engine reduces weight and frees up a lot of space, £5000 government rebate, electricity is cheaper and usually less polluting than petrol, privileged parking spaces in certain public places

CONS: Still expensive despite rebate, minimal range capability due to lack of petrol engine backup, resulting range anxiety is a real issue for drivers, question marks over battery life, technology advances will make next generation massively better and hurt resale value, some driving adaptation required, lengthy recharging required after even a moderate drive

Plug-in Hybrid / range-extender (eg - Vauxhall Ampere)

PROS: powerful electric motor and backup petrol engine give best combination of performance and range, most journeys will be fully electric which is cheaper than petrol, no range anxiety, privileged parking spaces in certain public places

CONS: Very expensive despite rebate, question marks over battery life and resale value, wall socket charging is still slow, lack of space and very heavy due to having petrol engine and fuel tank as well as electric motor and batteries.

Electric Car Economics - is it all worth it?

For most people, an electric vehicle is difficult to justify on pure hard-headed economics. Even with a £5,000 rebate from the government, an electric car is expensive. A Nissan Leaf starts at £31,000, so after the government gives you £5K you have spent £26K on a car which would be probably worth about £15K if it had a normal petrol engine. That could conceivably buy you a decade's worth of fuel! And there are still question marks hovering over the long-term reliability of batteries and resale value, which may bite you hard somewhere down the line

Electric Cars and the Environment

Buying a hybrid or electric car because you think you're helping the environment may not be helping that cause as much as you think, if at all. Producing car batteries is a dirty and complicated process, and the net result is that there is a significantly higher environmental impact in building an electric or hybrid car than building regular petrol or diesel car. So you're starting behind the environmental eight-ball before you've even driven you new green car.

Beware of "zero emissions" claims about electric vehicles, because most electricity still comes from fossil fuel sources (like gas or coal) rather than renewable sources, so you are still polluting the atmosphere when you drive, albeit not as much and the effects are not as noticeable to you. If you have your own solar panels or wind farm to power your car, this is much more environmentally friendly.

Range anxiety

The biggest electric car turn-off for car buyers (other than the high purchase price) is the joint problem of very limited range and very slow recharging. In a petrol or diesel car, you can drive for a few hundred miles, pull into a petrol station and five minutes later you are ready to drive for another few hundred miles. In an electric car, you drive for 50-100 miles, and then have to stop and charge it for several hours to drive another 50-100 miles.

If you only take short journeys and can keep the car plugged in whenever it stops (usually at home or work), this may never be a problem. But you can't expect to jump in the car and drive a couple of hundred miles, or get away with forgetting to plug the car in overnight after a journey. You have to be much more disciplined in terms of planning your driving, and allow for recharging. Away from home this is still a big problem as there are relatively few power sockets available in public parking areas for you to use.

A plug-in hybrid like the Vauxhall Ampere/Chevrolet Volt gets around the range anxiety problem, as does a normal hybrid like a Toyota Pries, but you are carting a petrol engine (and fuel) around all the time which you may not need, adding hundreds of kilos of weight and taking up lots of space, so it's a compromise.

So as you can see from all of the above, it's not at all straightforward. You need to carefully consider what sort of driving you will be doing and what you need your car to be able to do.

*there is a complicated technical argument about whether the Ampere/Volt's petrol engine directly drives the wheels under certain circumstances, but it's really boring and doesn't really make any difference to how the car drives.

Stuart Masson is founder and owner of The Car Expert, a London-based independent and impartial car buying agency for anyone looking to buy a new or used car.

Originally from Australia, Stuart has had a passion for cars and the automotive industry for nearly thirty years, and has spent the last seven years working in the automotive retail industry, both in Australia and in London.

Stuart has combined his extensive knowledge of all things car-related with his own experience of selling cars and delivering high levels of customer satisfaction to bring a unique and personal car buying agency to London. The Car Expert offers specific and tailored advice for anyone looking for a new or used car in London

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How To Remain Your Car Shiny Original... Forever!

Purchasing a brand new vehicle is a good sensation. The actual odor associated with clean

Leather-based while you the new odor associated with leather-based while you key in the actual

Vehicle. The actual paintwork is actually sparkling as well as waxy sleek. You may

Actually capture yourself robbing the look at the representation associated with

Your own satisfaction as well as pleasure while you generate this away your home.

By pass forward through 12 several weeks and find out exactly how your vehicle appears right now. Is actually

This nevertheless sparkling brand new or even will the actual paintwork appear exhausted, boring

As well as "old"? Just how can a few vehicles appear completely new despite the fact that these people

Happen to be three years aged? The reason why perform other people appear "old" whenever this

Simply folded away the actual display room 12 several weeks back?

The key is within the way you take care of your vehicle. You can easily

Keep the vehicle such as brand new knowing exactly how.

1) The Clean Per week Retains your vehicle thoroughly clean & Clever

A lot while you desire that the vehicle will stay thoroughly clean alone,

This simply won’t occur. Dirt may build up even though you simply

Maintain this inside your storage. There’s just one move to make. Clean

Your vehicle! It’s really essential that you clean your vehicle

Particularly following you’ve powered within the rainfall. Should you allow?

Drinking water tiny droplets dried out normally, particularly underneath the warm sunlight,

You will see tough-to-remove watermark unsightly stains in your

Paintwork.

The very first thing you have to clean your vehicle is really a thoroughly clean as well as

Gentle terry fabric. On the other hand, you should use fabric diapers

Too. You will get these types of very easily in the baby’s area within

The local departmental shop. They’re inexpensive also it functions.

Obviously, if you wish to end up being classy, after that obtain the Greatest

Clean fabric through Maguire’s

You’ll require a

Great vehicle hair shampoo following. I take advantage of Maguire’s NXT

Era Vehicle Clean It’s fairly

Listed along with a 64oz container can last a person a long time.

Begin through hosing lower your vehicle to get rid of any kind of grime, dirt or even

Muck. After that blend 3 caps-full associated with hair shampoo along with close to 20oz (a

Little bucket) associated with drinking water. Utilize the actual hair shampoo blend for your

Vehicle while using cloth/diaper. Hose pipe from the hair shampoo as soon as you’ve

Completed shampooing the vehicle. Make use of your own fabric below operating

Drinking water in order to clean away any kind of leftover hair shampoo deposits. It's very

Essential that you clean your vehicle dried out along with an additional thoroughly clean

Terry cloth/diaper. Make certain your whole vehicle is actually easily wiped dried out.

Following, thoroughly clean your own wheels. Braking system dirt usually builds up presently there

As well as cleansing it'll create a massive difference within exactly how your vehicle

Appears. It’s useless to possess thoroughly clean paintwork you’re your own

Wheels tend to be filthy. It’s additionally recommended in order to vacuum cleaner the interior associated with

Your vehicle each week or even almost every other 7 days. A person takes your time

Within the vehicle, therefore cleansing the inside simply is sensible...

2) The Month-to-month Polish retains the actual Sparkle towards the Maximum

Waxing your vehicle could keep your own paintwork sparkling brand new. A person

May possibly deliver this for a car detailer or even do-it-yourself.

It’s really not really which hard in order to polish your vehicle. Should you

Come with an hr approximately associated with free time, after that attempt waxing your vehicle

Yourself.

It’s essential that you clean as well as clean dried out your vehicle prior to

Waxing. IN NO WAY polishes your vehicle prior to washing/drying this! It’s

Better to recreation area your vehicle below inside a questionable region whenever waxing. This

Is sensible to utilize a great carnauba polish such as Maguire’s NXT

Era Technology Polish

Make use of the

Incorporated cloth or sponge as well as utilize the actual polish inside a little round

Movement. Polish your vehicle 1 area at any given time, recalling

That area a person began along with. Complete using polish about the

Whole vehicle.

Clean from the extra polish utilizing a gentle terry cloth/cloth

Diaper. Begin with the very first solar panel that you simply used the actual polish

As well as carry on through presently there. You’ll discover the polish deposits

Gathering in your fabric. Tremble this away regularly as well as

Still get rid of extra polish till you’ve completed just about all

Sections.

Appear very carefully as well as look for leftover polish deposits. Make use of your own

Fabric to wash any kind of leftover deposits.

To organize your own fabric for the following polish, clean this having a

Fluid softener. It’s good to make use of the actual fluid softener which

You utilize for the clothing. This particular ensures presently there isn’t any kind of

Leftover dirt/grime that could the beginning your vehicle on your

Following waxing program.

3) Polish your own Tire Following O’ Sire

For your gleaming, moist appear, polish your own tires following each and every

Wash/wax. Make use of Maguire’s Warm Sparkle Glossy Tire Squirt

 The actual bring about

Squirt makes it simple to use. A person actually require under 5

Min’s with this however using tire spray/wax can make a large

Distinction.

4) Situation Which Leather-based to assist This Battle the elements

Be sure you thoroughly clean as well as situation your own leather-based chairs from

Minimum as soon as each and every two several weeks should you vehicle includes leather-based

Chairs. Make use of Maguire’s Medallion High quality Leather-based Treatment

Conditioner

Utilize the actual conditioner having a thoroughly clean cloth/cloth diaper, depart

With regard to quarter-hour as well as clean away extra conditioner. Your own leather-based

Will appear as well as odor such as brand new should you choose this particular each month.

Whilst you’re from this, thoroughly clean any kind of vinyl fabric area of the vehicle

Utilizing Maguire’s Vinyl fabric & Leather-based Cleaner/Conditioner

Keeps the inside searching such as brand new?

5) Your own Car’s Right now gleaming to help you End up being pleased

Your vehicle will appear such as it’s completely new should you adhere to this particular

Regimen. An hour or so approximately each week will pay large returns.

Family and friends may believe you’ve simply purchased a brand new vehicle

Despite the fact that it’s three years aged. The advisable thing is whenever this

Arrives time for you to market your vehicle. An automobile along with sparkling brand new

Paintwork along with a thoroughly clean inside can make a powerful impact as well as

May instantly enhance the value of the vehicle!

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