Welsh drivers leaning towards diesel

publication date: Mar 11, 2008

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author/source: Robin Roberts

A fifth of Welsh drivers say they would choose diesel as their next car if it helped clean up the environment.

Reports suggest that Alistair Darling will introduce a series of green taxes designed to force consumers to become more environmentally friendly in this week’s Budget. This will include a tax on new cars, which could put £2,000 on the price of the largest “gas guzzlers”. 

Vehicle auction company, BCA, highlights that this could be the only way to change UK motorists’ habits.  In the company’s annual Used Car Market Report, a survey of nearly 3,000 UK motorists showed that 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 32pc saying they would walk more and 25pc saying they would cut their journeys, 19pc said they would consider a car with lower emissions and 16pc 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 4pc said the environmental considerations were important – double last year’s figure – but still very marginal.  Interestingly, 17pc of diesel car drivers said the environment was an important factor in choosing their car.