Consumers are apprehensive about purchasing environmentally friendly cars as new research suggests they think they and the associated car parts are too expensive.

Despite 69 percent of UK drivers claiming they do their best for the environment, only five percent who are buying a new car would be influenced by how green it was, Automotive Magazine found.

The study surveyed over 1000 car buyers, which found that Cornish motorists bought the cleanest cars. Their new motors’ CO2 emissions averaged at only 138 g/km. Motorists in Oxfordshire bought the most polluting cars emitting on average 168 g/km of CO2.

The survey asked the motorists what their main influence was when choosing a new car and 63 percent admitted the price was at the top of the list.

This was followed by 56 percent who said vehicle size was the main influence, while design, style, brand and safety all ranked ahead of a car’s environmental car parts when it came to buying.

Women are more likely to consider the environmental aspects of a car and 18-24 year olds were shown to be more likely to drive a hybrid car than any other age group.

Reduce Harmful Gases with Cheap Car Parts

There are ways you can reduce the amount of fuel your car uses without having to invest in new hybrid technology.

Check car parts to ensure they are working efficiently such as tyre pressure – a simple thing like having a flat tyre can put more strain on the engine meaning it compensates by using more fuel.

Watch your driving habits, if you rev too much or on a regular basis this will use more fuel, as does driving at high speeds or above the speed limit.

A speed of 50 miles per hour is considered the most fuel efficient speed for driving on the motorway.

Ecological plastic car parts are to be used on forthcoming Toyota models, claiming to be tougher and more durable than previous bio-plastics.

Marking the world’s first use of bio-PET which blends material derived from sugar cane, the new plastic aimed to be made into highly resistant car parts intends to contribute to lower full-life vehicle carbon emissions.

The reduced need of petroleum-based products in manufacturing of the plastic also make it environmentally friendly and Toyota plan to use it for the first time to make loadspace liner for the new Lexus CT 200h.

The plastic will make it suitable for a variety of car parts including vehicle liners, carpeting, seats and other internal surfaces. While it is initially going to be used for the luggage compartment liner in the Lexus CT 200h and Toyota aims to cover the vehicle’s interior with 80 percent of the plastic.

Toyota has successfully been developing bio-plastics for the last 10 years, and produced the world’s first use of a material made with polyactic acid in 2003.

Entering production at the end of the year motorists will be able to purchase the Lexus CT 200h by early 2011 and its aim is to be environmentally sensitive without compromising refinement and driving pleasure.

It will be the only full hybrid vehicle representing the synthesis of five key Lexus attributes – a unique driving character, the dynamic styling, attention to detail, and customer service.

Toyota Car Parts

While new materials are being used on the latest car models in a bid to make them more environmentally friendly, this should not affect the stocking of Toyota spare car parts.

At 247 Spares we are able to find a spare car part to suit any model even if it is a spare plastic bonnet, and most of our items are offered at discounted prices.

Three out of five of the best-selling cars in September were part of the Vauxhall range, new figures reveal.

As the car manufacturer’s popularity continues consumers are likely to be revamping their existing Vauxhall motors putting greater demand on finding good quality car parts.

The Astra range was the top seller of the best-selling car league and the Vauxhall Corsa sold a massive 14,249 vehicles in September alone, the Society of Car Manufacturers and Traders announced.

Vauxhall took a total market share of 12.6 percent of all car sales, and the Vauxhall Insignia remains the UK’s best-selling mid-size car overall, accounting for 18.8 percent of the sales in this sector.

“September is obviously a crucial month for car sales,” commented Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director.

“The new Movano has also given our CV sales a real boost, helping us achieve one of our best retail market shares ever, totalling 17.77 percent.”

The new Astra Hatch is thought to have boosted the range even further as it took a market lead in the lower-medium sector, selling 12,465 cars in September. The Zafira also remained popular maintaining its top spot in the compact MPV sector and also in the retail and fleet listings.

Vauxhall Car Parts

Nearly 2.5 million cars, motorcycles, vans and lorries are in need of new brake light car parts and could be classified as unroadworthy due to broken or missing brake lights, research published this week has revealed.

Given the popularity with British motorists, many of the vehicles needing new car parts will undoubtedly be Vauxhall vehicles.  If you are a proud owner of a Vauxhall car, new or second hand Vauxhall car parts are available for every range from 247 Spares.  Whether you have an Astra Hatch, the new Movano, or the long term favourite Zafira, there are car parts available online to suit every type.

Drivers are being urged to take greater care on their daily commute or school run as part of International Walk to School Month.

As well as using more concentration on the road motorists are advised to check their cars are up to scratch with working car parts to ensure their driving is not compromised.

As more children are expected to be walking to school in October the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAD) advices motorists to take extra care.

Their research suggests 43 percent of British children are driven to school each day and this is despite the majority of children living within a mile and half of their school.  With worsening weather conditions causing poorer visibility drivers are advised to leave the house early so they are not rushing to their destination.

“Children won’t always be paying attention and you should allow more space to compensate for this fact,” said Neil Greig, IAM policy and research director.

“It’s also good to leave the house earlier so you’re not in a hurry. Don’t let the fact you’re running late compromise your concentration and with that, the safety of other road users.”

A 12 year-old is three times more likely to be killed or maimed while walking to school than a 10 year-old, which shows the necessity of parents to properly educate their children about safe road crossings.

Best Car Parts Online

It is a legal requirement to have an MOT test for your car every year, however, things like tyre tread and breaking pads can wear out in between this time.  It is a driver’s responsibility to take regular checks of their vehicle so when you jump in the driving seat you are aware that you are in a safe, roadworthy car.

If you require a car part for you motor you can order them from 24/7 spares and they will be dispatched straight to your home.

In the rush for designers and manufacturers to target in on the growing demand for greener cars the buzz word in the car industry have to be ‘hybrid’ or ‘electric’. Most major car manufactures from General Motors, Ford and Toyota are all pushing in the direction of the electric car.

But a big question that seems to be overlooking is who is going to make the battery for such vehicles? Batteries are expensive, highly technical, and should by no means be overshadowed, by more marketable considerations.

Those who invest in this industry could stand to make substantial profits

Early prediction might see battery manufactures like BYD coming to monopolize the market

 “The Chinese company controls nearly one-third of the world’s cellphone-battery market, but recently decided to make cars and now is pushing hard into electric transportation”

David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research thinks that batteries will become so important that guaranteeing their production in the U.S. will become a matter of national security. “I’ve never seen anything that has as much potential to alter the way this industry operates,”

In the meantime, car owners with more immediate battery problems may find the purchasing of spare parts online a helpful solution.

In terms of a general contribution towards world pollution China, in a range of categories, must rank pretty high; with its soaring population, congested cities, and vast industry, spewing out fumes and waste by the day.

As the world’s fastest growing auto market (according to the National Bureau of Statistics) things only look to get worse, with CO2 emissions rocketing.

In an attempt to stem the tide Chinese car makers – Dongfeng Motor Corporation, in joint effort with a Dutch-based company (mirroring Detroit Electric’s agreement with Malaysian carmaker Protonis)are aiming to develop and manufacture electric cars.

The exact details of the deal have not been released but the two companies have also been discussing forming a joint venture to: “manufacture, assemble, produce and supply the Detroit Electric’s electric drive technology to the Dongfeng Group and other vehicle manufacturers”.

If successful Detroit Electric would be leading the way in the mass-production of electric cars. And we are not just talking about hybrids here, but cars driven entirely by a noiseless battery-powered motor, .

“The more I learn, the more I believe the electric car is the future,” said Mr CEO of Detroit Electrics Albert Lam.

Consumers hoping to reduce their carbon footprint may find that the purchase of new car parts online could lead to increased performance that will lower excess emissions. 

Richard Jenkins, the man who designed the vehicle that broke the land speed record for a wind powered vehicle, has claimed that just as Formula One technology has come to influence commercial car design, the technologies behind his record-breaking vehicle could herald a new era of environmentally friendly transport

The wind-powered Greenbird which recorded a top speed of 126.4mph uses design borrowed from aeronautical, sailing and wind technologies but with unique demands and adaptations:

 “In conventional vehicles, more power almost always equates to more speed. With land sailing, however, more wind does not necessarily mean more speed. Instead a design is required in which aerofoil lift (translated to forward thrust in a land-based craft) is maximised but, more importantly, drag is minimised. Greenbird tackles this problem by combining racing yacht, aeroplane and Formula 1 racing car concepts and technologies”

With out spelling out the exact details, Jenkins thinks that industry will at some point be able to reap the benefits from the innovations incorporated in the Greenbird.

While a wind vehicle for everyday use may be something for our children to look forward to current car owner hoping to optimize the performance of their vehicles will find the purchase of online car parts a sure way to spruce up their ride.

For budding motor enthusiasts ‘chancellor’ may not sound like an exciting job , but Alistair Darling was on the cutting edge of green car technology yesterday, as he checked out the latest development in greener fuels on his visit to a Sheffield research and development company – ITM Power on Atlas Way.

The firm has been working on an innovative alternative to oil - a solar-powered electrolysing machine, which can produce hydrogen gas from tap water. This fuel can then be used to power cars. Darling got the opportunity to drive one such car – a blue Ford Focus car which has been converted to run on hydrogen gas.

In the future we may get to see hybrid electrical cars working in union with hydrogen gas power. In the mean time, conscientious drivers looking to keep their emissions as low as possible may find that by regularly servicing their vehicle and purchasing new parts that this will cut down on excess fuel waste