RAC Report on Motoring 2016

RAC Report on Motoring 2016

4.0 Air quality and the environment

Meanwhile, specific concerns about the impact of vehicles on air quality appear to be on the rise: four in 10 drivers (41%) say they are more concerned about this issue now than 12 months ago, against 23% who say their concerns have reduced since last year. Regardless of their views on local air quality, a clear majority of drivers (66%) believe that stronger action needs to be taken to reduce pollution from vehicles in the areas where air quality is at its worst, while a majority of motorists (57%) also support the introduction of charges for diesel vehicles which enter areas with poor air quality, unless they meet the latest emissions standards. A similar percentage (55%) say they would support banning more polluting vehicles from entering areas with the worst air quality.

A significant minority of drivers are unhappy with the air quality where they live, and there is general support for measures such as higher taxes and vehicle restrictions that are aimed at reducing pollution from diesel engines. Meanwhile, levels of trust in motor manufacturers have fallen over the past 12 months, no doubt at least partly in response to the diesel- emissions scandal that emerged last year as well as increased scepticism over carmakers’ fuel- efficiency claims. 4.1 Air quality concerns More than a third of motorists (34%) say they have concerns about the air quality near where they live, the 2016 Report on Motoring has found, with 37% saying they are not worried about this issue.

“People do want to see action to address the poorest emitting vehicles, but the problem is that they tend to be the older cars which are often owned by the least affluent consumers, who have the least opportunity to change either vehicle or transport mode.” MIKE HAWES Chief Executive Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

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