Green car drivers get the camping blues

Environmentally conscious Brits who turn their backs on air travel this summer are in for a big shock. The small, fuel efficient cars they are buying to go on a UK driving holiday are too small to carry the luggage they say they’ll pack, according to research from AA Personal Loans.

At a time when there is growing concern over the environmental impact of short haul flying, the AA’s Deals on Wheels study has revealed that 20 per cent of people are considering a UK driving break for environmental reasons this summer.

Environment factors are also shaping car buying decisions of millions of Brits. Between March 2006 and March 2007, the proportion of people saying they will buy a car on environmental grounds increased three-fold (from 6% to 20%). Small family cars – such as the Ford Focus, VW Golf or Honda Civic – are the most sought after, accounting for 28 per cent of planned car purchases this summer.

This is welcome news for the environment, but has thrown up a basic problem for the green conscious British family. Most of them now own cars that are too small for all the gear they want to take on a camping or European driving holiday.

Noting the increasing popularity of camping and driving holidays this summer, AA Personal Loans asked a GB representative sample of over 2,000 adults what they planned to take with them on their family travels.

Britons, some of whom are perhaps revisiting their childhood camping experiences for the first time, have eyes bigger than their boots.

Four people will travel in the family car;
12 per cent of families will take their dog;
And they’ll attempt to cram 14 items into the boot.

Will it fit?

Wardrobe on the move: Perhaps celebrating the absence of airline baggage restrictions, families are having a suitcase festival - 72 per cent of Brits plan to put two or more large suit cases in their boot

Home comforts: Not wanting to rough it too much in the great outdoors, fluffy towels (59%), clean bedding (33%) and cosmetic bags (78%) are vital items.

Switching off by switching on: Beyond the popularity of the holiday read (51%), few holidaymakers can live without their tech toys and gadgets – laptops (19%), iPods (18%) and games consoles (10%) are all set for the holiday drive – and 6 per cent of Brits plan to make room for a TV.

Live outside: With the TV, suitcases and dog already packed, 12 per cent also hope to find space for their BBQ while 42 per cent plan to do a food shop before they go – rather than shop at their destination.

Fun and Games: Children’s toys (15%), child seats (14%) and pushchairs (9%) are all vital items for families with children. Cricket sets (7%), tennis rackets (7%) and bicycles (9%) are also popular items.

Ain’t no sunshine: UK holiday makers seem to have overlooked the runaway certainty of rain. Whilst sun umbrellas (12%) and beach wind breaks (9%) make the car boot, only 44% plan to take a raincoat or wellies.

Ready meal madness: Alarmingly, 1% who are going camping think it a good idea to pack the microwave, but where will they plug it in?.

Not so happy campers: reality hits home: Of those people planning a UK camping holiday, most planned to take suitcases, toiletries and a good book, but only 56% said they’ll take a tent ….

Lloyd East, Director of AA Personal Loans says: “People’s decisions to respect environment issues, in terms of driving holidays and buying small cars, are welcome, but UK holiday makers will have to think twice about what they take or consider fitting a roof containers or trailer.

“But if driving holidays face a renaissance then this could influence future car buying decisions – for instance, will estate car sales increase? Whilst less handy around town, there’s plenty of room in an estate car for tents, cricket bats, suitcases - and even the odd microwave.”