Free Road Tax

By Author: unknownmem
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Further changes to the UK road tax system have seen the numbers of tax bandings increased to 13 and the tariff on some of the most polluting cars rise to £30 in some cases. There has also been the introduction of a new car tax, whereby people purchasing a brand new car will face a one off, showroom tax of up to £950.

The government is concentrating its efforts on creating a green image for themselves and have rewarded low CO2 emission cars with lower road tax bills.

The calculation of road tax varies on your cars age. Older cars that were registered before March 2001 are subject to the old engine size structure with two rates above and below the 1549cc level. Since then tax is been worked out using an equation based on a cars CO2 emission levels, greener, low emission cars being band A and the higher polluters and most expensive to tax in band M.

Cars that have an emission level of below 100g/km are zero rated for road tax; this rises to £435 for cars that are classed as being in the band M bracket and having over 255g/km levels of emissions. The tax exemption also extends to the showroom tax for ...
... the lowest rated emission cars as well, making it more attractive to buy cleaner, greener vehicles.

So which cars are the best buys when it comes to lower rates of emissions and free road tax? Here are five of the best-rated green cars currently on the market.

Toyota IQ, probably the smallest urban car on the roads but with emission levels of only 99g/km and 65 mpg it makes an appealing deal for the green shopper. This compact car can seat four and its clever design has lots of space saving and storage ideas to ensure passenger comfort.

Ford Fiesta Econetic, it has all the style and panache, traditional of the Ford range but with added environmental credentials. The Econetic still maintains its road handling and driving ability, giving 85 mpg but only generating 98g/km of CO2 from its diesel engine.

Seat Ibiza Ecomotive, believed by the manufacturers as setting new levels of achievement for eco-friendly motoring, the Ecomotive is another low level emission car, kicking out just 99g/km of polluting CO2 and providing its occupants with around 76 mpg.

Smart Fortwo Coupe, innovative designers at Smart have gone a step further with the Fortwo to produce one of the greenest cars on the road. The slightly larger design, with an improved gearbox is zero rated for road tax due to its paltry 88g/km CO2 emissions and provides up to 85 mpg; happy driving.

Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion, have by refining their existing technology, created a car perfect for the environmentally conscious driver to use. A well-designed aerodynamic shape and good rolling resistance have made this car very economical to run, producing only 89-92 g/km of pollutants, while managing to achieve up to 72 mpg.
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