As the merits and sour points of ‘green cars’ continue to be deliberated on by drivers of the world, the English County of Essex has started to provide those who have yet to ‘go green’ with genuine incentives to do so.
Cars with CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km, are exempt from vehicle excise duty and the London congestion charge, and get free parking in Essex parks.
THE FORD FACTOR
Ford has its UK headquarters, product development centre and production facilities in the county and it’s where the new Ford Fiesta’s three award-winning one litre petrol, as well as 1.6 TDCi and 1.5 TDCi diesel engines are assembled.
All emit less than 100g CO2/km – equating to fuel economy of between 4.4 and 3.3 litres/100km. Two Ford Fiesta Vans and two Ford Focus models also qualify.
Andy Barratt, Ford Britain sales director, said:
“Ford’s most efficient cars are rightly recognised by the operators of Essex’s green spaces and country parks. The UK’s top-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, can save on fuel and now on parking too.”
IF THEY CAN DO IT...
From a South African perspective, do you think initiatives such as these would encourage more people to ‘go green’ should provincial legislature allow it?
Vehicle excise duty and congestion charges don’t apply in South Africa, but would benefits such as discounted or park free at ecologically diverse locations such as botanical gardens or national parks push the green initiative?
Or is this purely a first-world benefits package?
Give us your opinion in the Readers’ Comments bellow.