/EINPresswire.com/Green fatigue appears to have settled in across Australia’s driving population over the last two years, with only a 4% rise in the use of biofuels and ethanol blends, and a 3% fall in the number of people considering a car’s environmental credentials when purchasing a new car, according to research released today by leading national insurer, AAMI.[i]
A mere third (36%) of drivers said they filled up with the alternative fuels, and more than half (51%) said they actively thought about factors like fuel consumption or air pollution rating before buying their car.
AAMI spokesperson, Reuben Aitchison, said that there are a large number of Australians who want to reduce the impact of their car on the environment, but this number appears to have stagnated over the past few years.
“Availability of biofuels and ethanol blends has increased over the last two years, and cost is not a major barrier according to AAMI’s research. Even the belief that these fuels damage cars has fallen.”
“Coupled with a dip in the number of drivers who say green factors are front of mind at the car dealer, as well as the number of drivers actively changing their driving style to reduce their environmental impact, it seems as though Green Fatigue has well and truly set in.”
Green Driving Practices
“We know that Australians care about the environment and their impact on it, but it seems as though other pressures, like cost of living, are taking a priority.”
“There are some simple things that drivers can, and are, doing to reduce the environmental impact of their car, and also possibly save a few dollars at the same time.”
• Over three-quarters (77%) of Australian drivers say they drive smoothly, without hard breaking or acceleration.
• Nearly two-thirds (60%) avoid high speeds while driving, and avoid driving in a gear lower or higher than necessary.
• Nearly three quarters (70%) regularly check that their tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.
• Almost half (48%) use their car’s air conditioning sparingly.
“These simple techniques are easy to implement, and most should be followed for basic car maintenance anyway. We encourage all drivers to think about how they can reduce their environmental impact each time they get behind the wheel.”
About the Indexes
[1] This research compares findings from the 15th and 16th editions of the AAMI Crash Index, a road safety study prepared by leading national car insurer. AAMI It is published to inform and educate the community about risky driving behaviours and their potential consequences.
*Newspoll Market & Social Research conducted an independent internet survey of 3,740 Australian drivers, 18 years of age and older, across all states and territories in 2011. Collected data has been weighted in line with current ABS population demographics to ensure any extrapolation of results is representative of age, sex and area.
* IPSOS Research conducted an independent internet survey of 2,818 Australians of driving age in all states and territories in 2010. Collected data is carefully weighted in line with current ABS population demographics to ensure any extrapolation of results is representative of age, gender and population on a regional, state and national basis.
About AAMI
AAMI is a leading national car insurer, recognised as an industry innovator providing award-winning products and customer service. AAMI has become synonymous with road safety and invests in both customer and academic research around unsafe driving behaviours, as well as rewarding customers through benefits like Safe Driver Rewards. Australian Associated Motor Insurers Ltd (AAMI), ABN 92 004 791 744.
Media Contact:
Reuben Aitchison
AAMI
0421 165 650
http://www.aami.com.au
PR courtesy of Online PR Media.