The overwhelming majority of drivers have noticed a positive improvement in local air quality according to a survey into driver attitudes and behaviours during lockdown.
The survey by nationwide electric car charge point installer Smart Home Charge, found almost all respondents noticed less congestion and noise pollution(99.3% and 88.3% respectively), with 98.3% agreeing that electric cars would help reduce noise pollution if they replaced petrol or diesel vehicles.
When asked about air quality, 72.5% of respondents said this was “very important” to them and 97% said the lockdown has had a positive effect on local air quality.
In addition, 68.4% pinpointed petrol/diesel vehicles and too many cars on the road as having the most negative impact on local air quality.
In response, 66% of those surveyed said they would be willing to get a fully electric car when asked what they would most likely do to improve local air quality.
Other options included walking or cycling more (14.4%), car sharing (2.1%), avoid driving into town (3.1%) and getting a plug-in hybrid (7.6%).