Are car buyers going green?

Two conflicting reports are making different claims on whether or not Britain's car buyers are becoming green.

According to Government statistics from the Department for Transport, there has been a distinct trend for vehicles with smaller, more efficient engines. The average engine size of new cars bought in 2009 dropped by 3.6% from 2008 - whilst their average CO2 emissions fell by more than 5%.

This drop in emissions comes despite a decline in the proportion of cars powered by diesel in the UK. Just 41% of new car buyers in 2009 opted for a diesel engine; although more than twice the proportion seen in 2001, this was a year-on-year decrease from the 2008 figures.

Still, at the end of 2009 there were an unprecedented 114,000 hybrid, electric or hydrogen powered cars in the UK.

For anyone who thinks this trend may make selling a car with a poor emissions harder though, a contrasting report from Carmony.co.uk indicates that car buyers are more motivated by the mileage savings and the environmental benefits of their purchases.

The website's survey revealed that the main factor in a purchasing decision for 84% of people in the UK is the price, with mileage following in second place. According to the survey, environmental credentials were as low as 12th place - gaining just 21% of buyer's interests.

Martin Broadwell, Leicester, Vauxhall Zafira

Derek Coulson, County Durham, Toyota Auris