Majority of Europeans support stronger air pollution rules

The majority of people support stronger EU air pollution rules for car makers, according to a new YouGov survey. 

The survey, which was commissioned by Transport & Environment found that 76% of the 8,000 surveyed agreed that manufacturers should be legally obliged to reduce emissions from new cars as much as technically feasible. 

Even if buying a used car, 50% of those surveyed said they would still expect the vehicle to meet a minimum legal pollution limit. 

More than three-quarters (77%) of people surveyed also agreed that cars should meet legal pollution limits no matter how, when, and where they are driven. 

In April, the EU Commission is expected to propose new ‘Euro 7’ rules which will set legal limits for the air pollution output of new cars.  

According to the Commission, the cost of reducing pollution from vehicles would range from €100-€500 per car.

Almost two-thirds (65%) of those surveyed said they would be willing to pay up to €500 extra for a car that had significantly reduced pollution.

Fabian Sperka, vehicles policy manager at T&E, said: ‘The car industry claims cutting a vehicle’s emissions is too expensive when in reality it will cost less than a paint job. But the public wants the cleanest cars possible and now they’ve called carmakers’ bluff by saying they’re prepared to pay.

‘Keeping pollution down for just five years when most cars stay on the road for far longer is a threat to public health. People want to know that emissions will be kept within legal limits whether they’re buying a new or used car. Manufacturers should be required to ensure that.’