UK Survey: Cost is the Most Important Consideration in Buying a More Environmentally Friendly Car
25 October 2008
Drivers in the UK will purchase more energy-efficient cars, but not at the expense of compromising their driving experience, image or wallet, according to a recent survey commissioned by BMW UK. The survey shows that car owners are focusing on economic rather than environmental factors when choosing to drive low-emission vehicles, while still maintaining their high expectations of performance and driving enjoyment.
While 20% of Britons are now saying they look at CO2 levels when buying a new car, the survey found that 75% of motorists would purchase a lower-emissions car only if it saved them money. Almost two-thirds of people surveyed (61%) believe that cost is the most important consideration when others buy a more environmentally friendly car.
Other key findings from the survey include:
17% of men state that experience is the most important factor when buying a car, more so than cost, image or carbon footprint.
Women are at least twice as likely as men to prioritize carbon footprint in all areas of lifestyle. When buying a car, 25% of women state carbon footprint is the most important factor, compared to 15% of men.
One in five people recognize carbon footprint as their chief priority when buying a new car. In June 1988, Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,000 respondents in its survey, The Most Important Issues Facing Britain Today, and not a single person thought that pollution/environment was a concern.
A majority (54%) believe that a diesel-engined car is more efficient over long distances than a current hybrid.
There is overwhelming support (72%) for Government to implement financial incentives for these types of more environmentally friendly car purchases.
When asked which areas of household spending people would economize on soonest, only 6% said motoring—the highest was entertainment (41%), holidays (34%) and household bills (15%).
The survey was carried out by YouGov Plc on a sample size of 2,068 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15-18 August 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+); 60% of the respondents are motorists.
It would be very interesting to have a car computer record the average horsepower delivered to the wheels whilst the engine was running. It would be quite low. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 25 October 2008 at 07:41 PM
"While 20% of Britons are now saying they look at CO2 levels when buying a new car..."
Mirrored in poll after poll. Yet more reason for the AGW campaign to fold their tent and get on with the business of Global Energy Independence. A message few but the sheiks, cartels and monopolists argue with.
And lose the "carbon trading" swindle as well. A financial hoodwink of colossal proportion.
Posted by: nrg nut | 26 October 2008 at 08:48 AM
"Almost two-thirds of people surveyed (61%) believe that cost is the most important consideration when others buy a more environmentally friendly car."
"There is overwhelming support (72%) for Government to implement financial incentives for these types of more environmentally friendly car purchases."
UK governments have reduced new car sales tax from 10% to 5% and then 0%. Instead they introduced the fuel escalator which increased fuel tax so that fuel prices gradually increased from 50 pence per litre to 90 pence per litre before the recent crude oil price spike.
This is highly regressive tax policy reducing the tax burden on prosperous new car buyers and increasing the tax on low income citizens.
The UK has updated company car tax and annual road tax to vary with CO2 emissions bands.
The annual road tax has recently been amended so that the most polluting cars paying £950 in the 1st year. This fixed fee means the luxury new car buyer pays the same tax regardless of whether they choose a V6, V8, mild hybrid or two mode hybrid. Also £950 is much less than the extra cost of a hybrid.
The annual company car tax is a percentage of the price of the car depending on the CO2 emissions band, ranging from 10% to 35%.
The same principle should be applied to a feebate system for new car sales.
Bearing in mind that VAT on new cars is 17.5%, Cars in the lowest CO2 band could have a negative sales tax or rebate of say 10%.
Some of the tax raised could be used to reduce fuel tax on low CO2 fuels in proportion to CO2 emissions.
The CO2 bands need some adjustments such as raising the threshold for the top band (from 225 to 250 g/km). Also the lowest bands need to be lowered in future to cater for BEVs and PHEVs. (Say band A1 <60 band A2 61 to 80.)
Nevertheless, the feebates could look something like:
Band CO2 g/km Tax
A <100 -10%
B 101 to 120 0%
C 121 to 150 +10%
D 151 to 165 +20%
E 166 to 185 +30%
F 186 to 225 +40%
G >225 +50% plus 1% per g/km over 300g/km
This would have the effect of making the price of new cars sensitive to CO2 emissions.
For comparison, even China has recently increased the car sales tax on the largest engines from 20% to 40%, although China uses engine size rather than CO2 emissions.
Posted by: Kristoff | 26 October 2008 at 10:33 AM
Tripe and foolishness based on nada.
Posted by: | 26 October 2008 at 06:37 PM