British drivers poor on green credentials

British drivers demonstrate behaviours and attitudes that are less environmentally considerate than many European neighbours, according to research from AXA Insurance.

A consumer study among motorists in ten European countries has revealed that the British drive more frequently and cover more miles than many European counterparts. On top of which they are more resistant to ‘green' initiatives and are only really likely to make a change if it hits their pockets.

84% of Brits drive every day compared with the European average of 78%.

54% of motorists in Britain drive more than 10,000km a year compared with 51% in the rest of Europe.

Only 19% of Brits drive less than 5,000km a year compared with an average of 23% elsewhere in Europe.

30% of Brits are totally against a reduction of the speed limit to reduce CO2 emissions and pollution. In other European countries the average is 25%.

Only 16% of British motorists would be very favourable towards a speed reduction to reduce emissions and pollution, against a European average of 19%. 30% of Italian drivers are very favourable towards the proposal.

However, when it hits our pockets, Brits are the most likely to drive less. 76% cite fuel increases as a reason for reducing mileage, against a European average of 64%.

But once fuel becomes more affordable the British are among those most likely to slip back into old habits.

Tina Shortle, marketing director at AXA Insurance says: "It is clear that environmental matters are less of a concern for British drivers but is that because we don't care as much or because our public transport system cannot always give us an equivalent alternative? AXA is committed to reducing the effects of climate change and establishing how we, as one of the world's largest companies, can make a difference in the markets in which we operate.

"We recently launched a new direct car insurance product and, as you would expect, offer discounts for driving less. But we will be looking carefully at how we might further incentivise British motorists to reduce their CO2 emissions.

"Our study also looked at other features of driving behaviour and interestingly, the ‘green' results are stark contrast to the other areas around safe driving and keeping within the law, where British drivers largely outperformed other European nations."

Driving frequency

When asked how often they have personally driven in the last year, motorists from Great Britain came second to the Irish with the Swiss least likely to drive every day. Only 65% of motorists in Switzerland use their car every day.

Distance driven

The number of British drivers clocking up mileages of over 10,000km a year is above average and we are among the nations least likely to be doing less than 5,000km a year.

Making changes

Not only are the British among the most resistant to change their driving behaviour, they are also least likely to stick with change unless it is financially motivated. Even though a fuel hike would motivate many to reduce mileage, as soon as prices drop again, British drivers would be back in their cars.