ACEA

Eurobarometer: hesitance to pay for fuel-efficient solutions

04/10/07 - EU citizens are hesitant to bear the costs of reducing the environmental impact of transport. The July Eurobarometer questionnaire of the European Commission asked citizens whether they would be prepared to pay more for energy efficient private or public transport, or clean fuels. Less than half 45% would only accept a cost increase of up to 10%. 41% stated that they are not prepared to accept any increase, and only 9% of citizens are willing to pay more than a 10% increase.

According to the last survey ("Attitudes on issues related to EU Transport Policy") published by the European Commission, cars represent the main mode of transport for the majority of EU citizens (51%), followed by public transport (21%). Three quarter see room for improvements in public transport, but 22% said this would not lead them to make less use of their cars. In total, 81% of the respondents have a car in their household. More than three-quarters (78%) of those surveyed believe that the type of car people drive and driving style have a significant influence on their area's environment.

When asked how CO2 emissions from road transport should best be reduced, one third of respondents opted for the limiting of sales of high-emitting vehicles. Another third answered that carbon emissions could be reduced most efficiently by promoting, via tax incentives, the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles. The option of more efficient and better information campaigns was preferred by 16% and a restriction of car usage by 11%. More than half of those surveyed indicated to try to save fuel by adapting their driving style (57%) or walk or cycle more (56%).

According to the interviewed, the use of bio-fuels could be best encouraged by tax incentives (36%) or compulsory standards for manufacturers to produce cars that use biofuels (32%). 13% of respondents preferred crop subsidies for biofuels production and 10% opted for higher taxes for vehicles using traditional fossil fuels

• Attitudes on issues related to EU Transport Policy - Analytical Report


• Higly Efficient Cars are Available, But Not Much Loved

Go back