The Government needs to offer tax incentives to consumers thinking of converting to environmentally friendly cars, according to swiftcover.com.
And the online insurer has won support from the Liberal Democrats, who have tabled an early day motion in parliament calling on the government to encourage consumers to buy low emissions vehicles.
A survey by swiftcover.com has revealed seven in 10 drivers are keen to convert their cars if the price is right.
Andrew Blowers, chief executive at swiftcover.com, said: “Our report's findings should act as a massive wake-up call for the Government who has clearly underestimated the number of drivers who are prepared to invest in environmentally friendly cars if they become more affordable.
“There is an almost £5,000 difference between the cost of a Toyota Prius5, a hybrid6 car and a Ford Mondeo7, a standard family car. Providing a tax incentive on the environmentally friendly option would bring the cost more in line with standard petrol vehicles. This would make green cars a viable alternative to their gas guzzling counterparts.”
Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Chris Huhne, commented: "The trouble is some low emission vehicles find it difficult to compete on price with equivalent standard cars so motorists have no incentive to go green. If the Government is serious about meeting its Carbon reduction targets, they should reform Vehicle Excise Duty so that there are tax incentives to encourage motorists to opt for low emission cars.”
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