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The public’s concern over green transport

 With the world focusing on the upcoming COP26 in Scotland, UK road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has asked its members what issues should be addressed regarding road users.   

The poll revealed the top concern for the charity’s members was the lack of support for the transition to Electric Vehicles and the impact of the 2030 target to replace fossil fuelled vehicles.  

The rest of the poll’s data is as follows: 

  • 70% rated the lack of support for the transition to electric vehicles such as better infrastructure, lower costs and higher range as their top issue  
  • 62% wanted more clarity on the impact on people’s lives of the cut off dates for replacing fossil fuelled vehicles with zero emission alternatives 
  • 43% wanted to hear more about the impact that new even tougher CO2 targets might have on the use of cars and bikes for pleasure 
  • 40% were concerned about the personal economic impact of policies such as congestion charging, low emission zones and pay per use that might be applied to driving and riding 
  • 36% of people asked felt that there was a lack of any discussion on the benefits of driver and rider training to be included in the agenda 

Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart said: “Our members want to play their part in improving the environment, however they feel there is not enough support from the government to assist in a smooth transition to zero carbon transport. Alongside the financial incentives, there needs to be a much quicker push on providing EV charging infrastructure and encouraging drivers to rethink the way they fuel and use their vehicles.  

Alongside the fears about EVs, it is clear that for many IAM RoadSmart members driving and riding for pleasure is something that they feel has been forgotten about by politicians, but is still a past time that they feel should be factored in. Not surprisingly the other main area of concern was the uncertainty on road taxes in the future. We all know that diesel and petrol rake in billions for The Treasury but what will they be replaced by in a future world dominated by the kilowatt hour? 

These are all big questions, so it is vital that the politicians and experts attending COP26 deliver clear answers for the millions of drivers and riders waiting anxiously to hear their fate.” 

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