How Driving Green Can Save You Money

As climate change starts taking hold of the planet more, people all over the world are more committed than ever to finding ways to go green and become eco-friendly. This can be something simple around the house like recycling water bottles, and reducing the number of toxic chemicals in the air by driving an electric car. 

While the main motivator for being environmentally friendly shouldn’t be saving money, it’s always nice to see discounts rewarded to you for your efforts. Insurance on eco-friendly cars can be affordable if you find the right vehicle, like the Toyota Prius. Do the research and find the best combination of factors that help the planet and your wallet at the same time.

We’ll also talk about some of the other ways driving green can save you a lot of money. You won’t have to worry about gas prices and inflation on fuel, for example. Another pro of eco-friendly cars is their longevity, as the parts typically last longer in these vehicles. 

#1 – Electric Cars Have Insurance Discounts

It may be surprising to hear you can save money on insurance by purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle. Many of these cars are pricier to insure than gasoline cars because the vehicles are so expensive. Tesla brand cars are especially costly, sometimes coming in close to $100,000.

Try to find a cheaper eco-friendly car. The Toyota Prius is one of the longest-running and most popular electric cars. They’re practical, they’re very reliable, and insurance companies may even give you green discounts for buying one and insuring it. 

Big names in the industry like State Farm, Allstate, Geico, and Progressive will give five to ten percent discounts on eco-friendly cars. Driving environmentally friendly cars is beneficial to everyone involved, insurance companies included. 

They want to reward customers for making the world a better place. As climate change affects things like flooding and forest fires, insurance companies have to pay the price for claims filed when Mother Nature destroys property. 

The same driving skills apply to electric cars as gasoline ones. Make sure you drive safely, keep your eyesight sharp, and follow the rules of the road so your rates don’t go up. 

#2 – Electric Cars Don’t Need Gas

Even with gas prices going down a little bit, it’s still very costly to fill up with fuel if you drive your car to work every day. Having an electric car will save you a lot of money on these gas prices, as you substitute going to the pump with charging your battery each night. 

Make sure you’re aware of the battery levels in your car so you’re not stranded on the highway. Some people underestimate how much electricity they need in their vehicles. This isn’t as much of a problem if you have a hybrid like the aforementioned Prius. These cars run on both gasoline and battery power, so it takes a lot longer to run out of fuel. 

As more state governments switch to electric cars and hybrids (California hopes to ban the sale of gas cars by 2035), the entire population will start to learn about the benefits of these vehicles. 

#3 – Electric Cars Last Longer

One of the main expenses of a gasoline-powered car is the amount of maintenance needed to repair it. Traditional vehicles need to go into the shop more on average than hybrids and electric cars. If you do need to bring your electric car to get repairs, you should be aware the parts are typically more expensive. 

This means it’s up to you to decide whether the benefits of not getting repairs often outweigh the burden of paying more for the repairs when they occur. If you look at the bigger picture, electric and hybrid cars will last longer than gasoline cars, meaning you don’t have to make another huge purchase on a car for a long time. 

As more companies get into the electric car market, you’ll have even more options to choose from. There will be more evidence pointing to which electric or hybrid cars last the longest. 

#4 – Be Careful With Electric Car Amenities 

There are even more ways you can save money on electric cars without realizing it. You should remember that every time you run something electrical in your electric car, you’re taking your battery down quicker. This could leave you stuck in the middle of your trip to work or back home if you’re not careful. 

Things like leaving the air conditioner, heater, radio, etc. on will make the battery go down. Keeping it simple and not installing a ton of electronics and devices to entertain passengers will also help make electric cars more efficient and affordable. Looking for electric cars with fewer amenities will bring the cost of the car down when you purchase it, too. 

#5 – Alternatives to Driving Electric Cars

If you’re someone who isn’t interested in buying electric cars, you can opt to cut back on driving altogether. If you live close enough to your local grocery stores or your job, you can walk or ride your bicycle to your destination. This will certainly cut down on carbon emissions and help the environment, along with saving you money on buying a car. 

You can also think about carpooling with friends or family if you’re all headed to the same place. Carpooling in an electric car or a hybrid would be the most ideal scenario here, as it saves everyone money on fuel and you only have to charge one car at the end of the day. 

You could call a rideshare vehicle like an Uber if you only need a ride once in a while, and you could specify you want to ride in an electric car so you’re being energy efficient. 

You can see electric cars aren’t for everyone, but they’re certainly becoming the vehicles of the present and the future. If you don’t think they’re for you, look into some of these discounts and smart ways to save money by getting in on the hybrid movement. 

Talk to other people who own these cars and they may be able to convince you of their value to the planet and to your bank account.