64 / 96
4.0
Air quality and the environment
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.
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.
64
RAC Report on Motoring 2016
“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