The attractiveness of cars in a Green age

Britons want to do their bit for the environment. We are conscious of energy ratings when we buy or rent houses; we give money and time to green causes; we recycle more of our waste. Moreover Britain’s political parties continuously repeat how committed they are to fighting global warming.

However, despite the CO2 that cars produce, the majority of adults are likely to continue to take a relatively lenient view of car use. The dream of cars giving way to public road transport, bikes, telework, and car sharing has been around a long time. Why is it likely to remain a dream?

First, while recessionary conditions have persisted, British people have tended to give their green ideals a back seat, instead making a priority of their immediate needs.

Second, insofar as the British economy is reviving, openings will be there to get work, to get higher pay, to provide mobile services, or to go self-employed. And these new opportunities tell in favour of cars. They demand fast journeys, even if traffic congestion can often take away from that. Also, younger adults trying to make something of themselves will want a car.

Third, the shift in employment from public to private services means that Britiain will see less local authority business. So, aided by smartphones, tablets and laptops, business will be correspondingly less local, too. And a more regional perspective to business will highlight the utility of cars. Market liberalisation and mobile IT will make for more road transport, not less.

Last, the fuel efficiency and thus the carbon intensity of cars are improving.

In the Britain of the future, using a car will not at all be regarded as ethically perfect. But it will be regarded, at the very least, as a necessary conduit to economic success.

To read the article in context click on this Lex Autolease report on motoring 2015 PDF link.