Earth Day 2018 is just around the corner, so here are our top tips for giving Mother Nature a helping hand!

Not only will the planet benefit from you switching to an electric car or a hybrid, but you will too!

Firstly, you will save money on things such as fuel, tax, and running costs. But you will also be ahead of the times, as all petrol and diesel car sales are due to be banned by 2040.

If you switch to an eco-friendly model, you will also have free parking and zero congestion charges in London boroughs and other major cities, as most eMobility vehicles qualify for the ‘Office of Low Emission Vehicles’ car grant, offering up to £4,500 off the cost of the car.

To help you decide which model to go for, we bring you the top ten eco-friendly cars you can buy in the UK:

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

This Hybrid beast does around 148mpg, which is very impressive for an SUV, but real fuel consumption averages around 47mpg.

Its electric-only range goes up to 33 miles and, once it runs out, the petrol engine kicks in. The Mitsubishi Outlander has a middle of the road sized engine – 2L.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 Hybrid

This classy hybrid is ideal for those that still have a need for speed, with its 2L turbo I4 engine.

It offers a great driving experience with a 7-Speed Automatic 7G-TRONIC Plus transmission and it has a start-stop engine, just for that extra energy saving feature.

What more could you want from a hybrid?

Nissan Leaf

This roomy and compact electric car will fit five passengers with ease!

This UK-built electric vehicle is equipped with an energy recovery system that will mildly refill the battery reserves when driving in an energy-saving style, and its price range starts at an affordable £16,680.

The perfect fit for those eco-friendly penny savers!

Volvo XC90 T8

You can buy this luxurious hybrid for the large sum of £65,800, if new.

However, you get what you pay for with its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine! It even has the towing capacity of 2,400 kg, so it can help you get your lovely jet ski down to the beach on a summer day.

Volkswagen Golf GTE

The Golf GTE hybrid surpasses normal limitations that electric cars usually face, such as long battery charging times and low distance range after a battery is fully charged.

One disadvantage of the GTE compared to the all-electric e-Golf is that its range on a fully charged battery is only about 31 miles before the petrol engine kicks in, whilst the e-Golf has a range of about 120 miles.

However, the GTE has a standard sat-nav and 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and the 1.4-liter petrol engine combined with the electric motor gives the driver 201bhp. 

It is an ideal solution if you need to drive to built-up areas rather than the motorway.

BMW i3

The i3 is unlike any other BMW. It contains the brand’s rear-wheel-drive tradition, but it uses a 168bhp electric motor, combined with a lithium-ion battery pack.

This small and lightweight car will ensure that you will be saving money, while still enjoying a luxurious driving experience.

Hyundai IONIQ

The IONIQ is available in electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid versions.

The ‘greenest’ model of the range is the Ioniq Electrim, with its 136-MPGe rating beating every other vehicle currently in the market on energy efficiency.

Kia Niro

Kia's Niro SUV shape offers a very practical solution for those families that want to go ‘green’.

Its impressive 4 cylinders, 1.6 GDi, 139 brake horsepower and 6-Speed DCT, will leave no one dissatisfied. It is currently retailing at £26,605.

Audi Q7 e-tron hybrid

This practical, but luxurious SUV is perfect for those families that need a little more space.

The Q7 has an impressive muscular exterior and includes advanced safety features and a state-of-the-art sound system.

This solidly built hybrid brings Audi’s iconic SUV to another level, with better economic factors, even though its battery range only goes up to 35 miles, at the moment.

Renault Zoe

The Renault Zoe is the cheapest electric car you can buy brand-new in the UK, from just £13,995.

This all-electric car is surprisingly spacious due to it being a five-door hatchback.

Renault has been making some amazing changes to this model, including reducing the full recharge time to three hours and including smart technology that recuperates energy when slowing or braking, giving you up to 130 miles of driving with one single charge.

Ready to go Eco?

If you’re looking for your next car, we can help you choose from our extensive range of vehicles, including plenty of top-notch hybrid and electric models.

And, if you’ve already found the perfect eco-friendly ride for you, Creditplus can simply help secure the finance you need to drive away.

Get in touch with our customer advisors today by completing our simple, 2-minute Application Form.