Road tax key to going green

Research has revealed that cheap car insurance and lower road tax might be enough to tempt motorists into eco-friendly cars.

[ClickPress, Fri Feb 23 2007] Research has revealed that cheap car insurance and lower road tax might be enough to tempt motorists into eco-friendly cars.

Virgin Money Car Insurance looked into the factors which could persuade people to ditch their gas-guzzling cars and buy a "green" vehicle instead.

It found that money was the issue which would swing the decision for most drivers. 73% would demand money off their road tax, whilst 71% said they should be able to get cheap car insurance for driving an eco-friendly car.

However, performance was also an important issue for some, who said they would get an environmentally-friendly vehicle if it had better acceleration than their current model.

41% of those interviewed by Virgin Money Car Insurance even said that they would be prepared to pay more for a car that was kind to the environment.

A spokesman for the motor insurance company said: "It is encouraging that drivers want to go green and are willing to put their money where their mouths are by paying a bit extra.

"However, there needs to be more carrot and less stick to encourage more people to make the move into lower carbon emission motoring.

Insurers can do their bit by looking at special deals for greener cars but the government has to play its part too. Lower road tax is seen as crucial in encouraging people to change their buying habits."