When we want to help the environment, it’s important to make the most of every opportunity. One major opportunity to live a greener life is to upgrade to a new green-tech car. Unfortunately, a car like this may currently be out of your price range. The good news is that there is plenty you can do to upgrade and change your lifestyle that will let you get a newer, greener car as soon as possible. Here are a few ways to upgrade to a new green tech car.

Make Room in Your Budget

If your budget is stretched to the max, it’s time for a budget review. Building margin into your budget will allow you to set some money aside each month until you finally have enough for a down payment on your dream car. If you look hard enough, you’ll likely find plenty of fat that you can trim. Just keep your end goal in mind, and you’ll be surprised at how much you’re willing to change.

Sell Your Current Car

If you’re almost over the hump when it comes to being able to afford a new car, all that you may need to do is sell your current car. If your car has seen better days, there are still companies that offer cash for junk cars to help give you the financial jolt you need to succeed. You can also try selling your vehicle yourself, although that may take longer, which would delay your timeline for getting a new car.

Look for Rebates

Since you’re interested in an eco-friendly car, you may find that your local or state government has rebates to help you offset the cost of your new car. Since cities and states benefit when their citizens produce less pollution, there is a vested interest in steering people toward cars that sip instead of guzzle gas.

Seek A Loan

Although not everyone can obtain a car loan, these types of loans are far easier to obtain than more restrictive loans such as mortgages. As long as you have the money to make the monthly payments during the term of the loan, then this could be your best option. Typically, you’ll want to check with local lenders to get their rates before you head to the dealership, as this will provide the most options to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Take Care of It

Once you finally have the means to pay for your new car, it’s important that you take good care of it. After all, you don’t want your financial investment to end in financial ruin because your car breaks down after only a few years. For most vehicles, though, as long as you give them care on the proper schedule, you can expect to get several years and tens of thousands of miles of use before it’s time for a replacement.