More Th>n extends eco-car discount to all alternative fuel vehicles

Eco-motorists who own alternative fuel vehicles can now benefit from a discount of up to 15 per cent off their motor insurance.

In a further move to reward environmentally-friendly driving, MORE TH>N insurance today announced that it has reduced premiums for both new and existing customers who drive manufactured or professionally converted LPG vehicles, bi-fuel, FFV, biopower, dual-fuel and electric cars.

MORE TH>N was the first insurer to introduce an insurance discount for hybrid vehicles, in May 2006. Since then it has seen a steady increase in its number of hybrid car policies, signaling that eco-motoring is indeed an emerging market.

As well as MORE TH>N’s insurance discount, eco-motorists also benefit from a reduction in car tax announced in the 2006 budget, and exemption from the congestion charge in central London. Last week the congestion charge zone doubled in size to cover many western parts of the central city.

With petrol prices approaching £1 per litre in some parts of Britain research from MORE TH>N reveals that 80 per cent of drivers are concerned about fuel prices, and more than a third (36 per cent) are consciously trying to economise by limiting use of their vehicle to essential journeys only, and using public transport more often.

Aside from reducing the dent in their pockets, four in ten motorists say they would consider switching to a more eco-friendly vehicle for the environmental benefits. Almost half (48 per cent) of the motorists surveyed said they were seriously concerned about the impact that full petrol cars have on the environment.

New vehicle registrations for alternative fuel vehicles increased by 51 per cent between 2005 and 2006.

Mike Holliday-Williams, managing director of MORE TH>N, says: “The launch of our eco-car discount for all alternative fuel vehicles is another way we’re encouraging our customers to ‘go green’. In December 2006 MORE TH>N and our parent company Royal & SunAlliance became the first UK insurer to go carbon neutral, and we’re encouraging customers to do their bit for the environment by incentivising and rewarding green behaviour.”