Budget set to make car buyers greener
11/03/2008
Reports suggest Chancellor Alistair Darling will introduce a series of green taxes designed to force consumers to become more environmentally friendly in tomorrow's Budget. This will include a tax on new cars, which could put £2000 on the price of the largest "gas guzzlers". Leading vehicle auction company, BCA, highlights this could be the only way to change UK motorists' habits. In the company's annual Used Car Market Report, a survey of nearly 3000 UK motorists showed they have the best of intentions to reduce their carbon footprint, but turning those intentions into reality is another matter. When asked what steps they might take to reduce their carbon footprint, respondents appeared to be open-minded, with 32% saying they would walk more and 25% saying they would cut their journeys. Almost a fifth (19%) said they would consider a car with lower emissions and 16% that they would buy a smaller car. But these intentions don't appear to translate into a change in car buying habits.
Instead UK motorists are still motivated first and foremost by price, and getting a good deal on the used cars they buy. Environmental considerations came 10th on a list of car choice factors, behind price, make and model, low mileage and even colour. Just 4% said the environmental considerations were important - double last year's figure - but still very marginal. Interestingly, 17% of diesel car drivers said the environment was an important factor in choosing their car.