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Swinton Insurance Customers Reveal Their Top Green Cars

With the current incentives of the Government's car scrappage scheme and the rising cost of fuel, motorists are opting for greener vehicles, according to official reports.

An online survey of 1,200 Swinton car insurance customers revealed their top 5 green cars, with the Toyota Prius coming out on top with 34% of the vote.

The top 5 green cars were:

1. Toyota Prius (34.2%)
2. Honda Civic IMA (23.7%)
3. G-Wiz (18.8%)
4. Toyota Aygo (15.9%)
5. Smart Fortwo (7.4%)

Following the success of the scrappage scheme, there has been a 5.4% reduction on the 2008 figure of CO2 emissions from cars, according to a report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Steve Chelton, Insurer development manager at Swinton, the UK's leading high street retailer of car insurance, said: "Not only do green cars benefit the environment, they also carry savings for consumers.

"Vehicles with lower CO2 emissions will be subject to a much lower rate of road tax, with some models even being exempt from road tax altogether.

"Our car insurance customers in London may also be entitled to a 100% reduction on the London Congestion Charge if they have one of the greenest cars available such as electric cars or natural gas cars.

"Despite these savings, motorists need to be aware of any implications on their car insurance. Premiums may be higher as the parts for greener cars are more unusual and as a result repair costs may be elevated."

About Swinton

--  With 580 branches nationwide Swinton is the largest high street
    insurance broker.
--  Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton
    is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the
    community.
--  Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of
    its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike
    and even classic car insurance
--  With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a
    panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates