‘Green’ is the new black for British motorists

Despite reports that black has overtaken silver as the car colour of choice for UK motorists, new research from AA Personal Loans reveals that a car’s green credentials are an increasing priority for potential car buyers.

With the Chancellor announcing dramatic changes to the taxation system to encourage Britons to choose more environmentally friendly cars during Wednesday’s Budget, AA Personal Loans’ Deals on Wheels research shows that over the last two years public opinion has changed significantly in support of the Chancellor’s plans.

23% of drivers intending to buy a car in the year ahead say that they want a car that is more environmentally friendly, compared with just 6% of motorists when the study began in January 2006.

Synonymous with this move to greener cars has been a decline in the percentage of motorists looking to buy sportier cars with more sex appeal (from 6% in January 2006 to 2% in 2008) and an increase in the popularity of small family cars such as VW Golfs or Honda Civics (26% in January 2006 to 33% in 2008). Higher fuel consumption MPVs and SPVs have seen a consistent decline in popularity, just 2% of potential car buyers intending to buy a people carrier in 2008, compared with 5% in 2006.

Women put safety first

Since July 2006, the percentage of motorists considering buying a low/no emission car in the year ahead has increased from one to 3%.

Men are emerging as being more concerned about the environmental impact of their car, 27% placing environmental credentials in their top three priorities, compared with 17% of women.

Women are twice as concerned (16%) about safety features as men (8%).

The percentage of motorists buying a bigger car because their family has grown has fallen to its lowest level since the study began (10%).

Despite being the target of congestion charging, Londoners are significantly less likely than the average British motorist to be looking to buy an environmentally friendly car in 2008 (18% compared to 23%).

Mark Huggins, Head of AA Personal Loans says: “The research shows that green is the new black for many motorists. Car buyers now realise that ‘green’ cars mean ‘lean’ cars with better fuel economy and cheaper tax discs. As one third of car purchases are made using finance, people need to shop around for the best personal loan so that their green savings aren’t lost in interest charges.

“The AA Car Buyers’ Guide gives advice on choosing a vehicle including information on fuel economy and emissions.”

The AA Car Buyers’ Guide can be found at: theaa.com/cbg/home.jsp

Information and advice on choosing an environmentally friendly car is available at: theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-guide/cbg_emissions.html