Are Green Cars Suitable If You Live in a Rural Area?

Dec 15, 2016Green Car Advice, Green Car News

Hybrid and electric cars are becoming more popular with each passing year. Many people who were initially put off by the idea of owning a green car are now starting to realise the benefits, including lower running costs, lower emissions (zero emission in the case of electric cars) and a smoother and more enjoyable driving experience.

Despite last year’s fuel price cut across many of the UK’s most rural areas, rural motorists are still looking for ways to save where fuel costs are concerned. There’s no doubt that driving a green car, whether it’s a hybrid or electric, can cut down on your fuel costs considerably.

Which type of green car is best for rural drivers?

Below are the different types of green cars that are currently available and the considerations of each for rural motorists.

  • Hybrid cars – Hybrid cars are cars that have both a petrol/diesel engine, and an electric motor. The electric motor is used whenever possible and is charged by the energy created when the car brakes, and sometimes the engine itself. Rural drivers do not get the same benefit from hybrid cars as city drivers since the driving conditions don’t allow the electric motor to be charged nearly as much.
  • Plug-in hybrid cars – Plug-in hybrids also have a petrol/diesel engine and an electric motor. The main difference being that they can be charged at the mains. This makes them an ideal choice for rural motorists since you can charge your vehicle at home before every journey. You will of course need to have an electric charging point installed at your home in order to do this.
  • Electric cars – Purely electric cars do not have a petrol or diesel engine and instead are powered solely by electricity. Electric cars usually run for around 80-100 miles on a single charge, depending on the model. The main concern with electric cars is being near a petrol station that has a charging point. However providing your typical journeys are not across long distances of more than 80 miles and you have a charging point at your home, this is usually not an issue.

What if you have a horse trailer?

If you transport horses in a horse trailer then you might be concerned that an electric car won’t be powerful enough to tow a horse trailer. The truth is that this will depend on the type of electric car you have. A lot of models are capable of towing a trailer so providing you do your research, it shouldn’t be an issue.

On a side note, your horse trailer will usually be covered for third party accidents by your electric car insurance although it’s still recommended that you get a separate horse trailer insurance policy if you want full protection.