If you are preparing to buy a new car, consider your choices carefully. Not only is an electric or hybrid model a more environmentally friendly car, it’s also tax-exempt. It’s a good idea to buy a vehicle with an engine that’s 1.4 litres or smaller. All new cars have to meet European standards in terms of exhaust emissions, one reason why new cars are less likely to pollute than an older car. It’s also possible to buy a car that runs on biofuels, but before you do it’s a good idea to check the availability of the appropriate biofuel in your area.

An alternative is to have your petrol engine car converted to run on liquid petroleum gas , which lowers the toxic emissions. It costs about £1,000 to convert but it’s cheaper to run. Your car could also be converted to run on compressed natural gas , which results in even lower toxic chemical emissions.