Motorists not put off diesel

Most drivers are more concerned about fuel economy than emissions, according to new research.

In a survey of 2,565 motorists by the RAC, nearly three in four people made the confession they are generally more worried about fuel consumption than they are about health-harming emissions.

However, the Volkswagen emissions scandal has damaged drivers’ trust in all vehicle manufacturers’ environmental claims with six in 10 (57%) saying they had lost confidence since the news broke.

Two-thirds (66%) believe that the emissions testing process in Europe is not close enough to real-world driving conditions.

More than half (55%) claim to be concerned about the impact that emissions of pollutants from diesel cars have on air quality in their area, but around 15% admitted they don’t understand the impact of oxides of nitrogen emissions.

Despite the negative publicity, 96% of diesel drivers said they had no plans to reduce how much they drive their vehicles.

What’s more, nearly half of the motorists questioned (47%) disagreed with the idea that diesel cars should be taxed more than petrol cars, with three in 10 (29%) not having a view either way and less than a quarter (24%) in favour of higher charges for diesels.

One in five (22%) diesel vehicle owners have concerns that their cars will be harder to sell second-hand;, but most (51%) have no such fears with a further quarter (27%) uncertain whether it will or won’t affect re-sale.

A third (34%) believe the second-hand value of their diesel vehicle will be lower than it was before the VW revelations, with the remaining 63% have no such concerns.

“While motorists are not oblivious to the harmful effects of diesel emissions, they are – perhaps understandably – far more concerned about fuel economy because of the impact that this has on household finances,” said RAC chief engineer David Bizley.

“It is important to recognise that cars are only responsible for around 35% of overall oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions in our city centres where air quality is poorest. The bulk of the remainder is emitted by buses, taxis and commercial vehicles.”