The idea of a green car that will be safer to the environment and protect the ozone layers and dwindling supplies of fossil fuel is something that has been the subject of many discussions over the last decade in places from the homes of the general public to the rooms at the houses of parliament.  Some people feel that we have the best option available currently and are reluctant to do anything about the issue, while others are lobbying for a change to our mind-sets and a far more ‘green’ outlook on the automotive world.

Formula One chiefs have adopted this for the past year, making their notoriously gas guzzling vehicles more environmentally friendly, and lots of household name car manufacturers are doing their bit for the environment too. Celebrities are adopting the idea of green vehicles and pioneering them in their lifestyles, but the majority of us cannot afford a Tesla (the sports car equivalent) let alone afford to pay the car insurance on it. So if you are embracing the idea of a green car, where should you start?

Toyota have been nominated the ‘worlds greenest brand’ according to a global survey published by Interbrand after they took into account the environmental performance of the vehicle coupled with the public perception of the brand, plus their sustainability and carbon footprint on the environment we are living in.

Toyota has had some bad press in recent years with their fault brakes and car recalls, but they are moving way ahead of their competitors in terms of their green and hybrid offerings to the market. They have solar panelled electricity production in their factory in France, and are planning to install wind turbines in Belgium to further secure their image as a green brand.

With petrol prices rising higher than some families can afford to pay, green and hybrid cars could produce a lifeline for those of us who are finding it harder to use our vehicles. It is a legal requirement in the UK to insure our cars, and if you are looking to save money and get a competitive rate then try swiftcover.com car insurance, a company who offer competitive pricing online.