Close to three quarters of UK citizens believe that greener transport options are essential to creating cleaner, healthier cities, amid increasing demand for electric buses and trams, as well as more cycle lanes.
Some 70% of respondents to a poll by green energy provider E.ON agreed that investment in more environmentally-friendly transport options is vital in order to improve cities.
At the same time, however, more than half said that switching to electric vehicles was hampered by a lack of charging facilities in their local areas, with this figure rising to 70% amongst rural communities.
Necessary infrastructure
“It’s clear from this research that the British public see the benefits of drastic change in how we get around. To achieve this, transport providers, local authorities, and charging providers all have a role to play in ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place,” commented Natalie Robinson, head of new city partnerships at E.ON UK.
The survey of 1,000 adults found ‘overwhelming support’ for sustainable transport solutions such as electric vehicles, bike sharing and greener public transport, while seven in ten believed that improving infrastructure will be critical to making green transport ‘more accessible and practical’.
Alternatives and incentives
The study also found that many motorists would need a mix of alternatives and incentives to encourage them to switch to sustainable transport.
Some 87% of respondents support measures like tax breaks, subsidies, expanded public transport, and increased EV charging facilities at workplaces and leisure destinations.
Residents in suburban areas, in particular, were the strongest advocates for these measures, with 65% strongly agreeing on the need for practical incentives and infrastructure upgrades.
“E.ON’s commitment to developing EV infrastructure around the country is a key step toward bridging the gap between urban and rural areas and by giving drivers the confidence they need that the charging network is growing to meet their needs,” Robinson added. “By investing in ultra-fast charging hubs, collaborating with local councils, and expanding our charging network across the UK, we are ensuring greener transport solutions are accessible to all.” Read more here.
