| l prices continue to increase over the past few months | | | | new and used Audi vehicles on the market their lack |
| it seems that the car manufacturers across the world | | | | of commitment to any hybrid or electrical vehicles is |
| have split into two separate camps. The first camp | | | | plain to see. According to Audi it won’t be until |
| has invested a fairly significant amount of money and | | | | 2011 at the earliest when a hybrid vehicle will be |
| effort in developing hybrid and electrical vehicles some | | | | launched and a year later for an electrical vehicle. This |
| of which have been launched onto the market. These | | | | is surprising in many ways that some car |
| car manufacturers include Toyota and Honda in | | | | manufacturers and indeed oil companies aren’t |
| particular with Toyota being one of the first | | | | investing more heavily into renewable sources and |
| manufacturers to launch a hybrid vehicle back in the | | | | vehicles that can use alternative methods because |
| late 1990s. Honda though has taken this a step further | | | | many scientists suggest that oil will run out during our |
| and is set to launch their sports car CR-Z later this | | | | life time. |
| year. The design looks sleek and modern which is the | | | | Although certain car companies haven’t |
| style Honda has maintained over the last few years. In | | | | invested in hybrid or electrical vehicles there has been |
| the other camp are the car manufacturers that | | | | a massive step in the right direction in terms of |
| haven’t yet released a hybrid or electrical car | | | | improvements in the amount of emissions produced |
| and haven’t really invested any substantial time | | | | and the efficiency of vehicles. In the UK this has |
| or money into any greening projects. | | | | partially been spurred on due to the change in road tax |
| There is however a camp in the middle of both sides. | | | | rules. Each vehicle is given a separate tax band |
| This camp is where several “concept” | | | | depending on the engine size and amount of emissions |
| hybrid or electrical cars have appeared in trade shows | | | | that it produces. In some cases if the vehicle is hybrid |
| and other promotional advertising has been carried out | | | | for example there is no road tax to pay. If there is a |
| but more of a PR exercise. These concept vehicles | | | | small engine and it produces a low amount of |
| might look amazing in their shiny colours but really it is | | | | emissions then the cost is £20-£35. |
| simply a very pretty piece of cardboard. Take Audi for | | | | Vehicles that have large engines and produce a high |
| example they have recently promoted a concept | | | | amount of emissions have to pay more which usually |
| electrical sports vehicle at the Detroit Auto show. | | | | includes sports cars. It can cost more than £250 |
| There really isn’t much worse than when a | | | | per year to tax these types of cars. The road tax for |
| company advertise a product that you can’t | | | | new and used Audi vehicles usually range in price from |
| even purchase yet. Although Audi boast a selection of | | | | £100-250+ per year. |