A new survey by the RAC has confirmed what I have always believed – people will adjust their driving habits in response to increasing costs, but won’t make changes solely for environmental benefits.

The RAC surveyed the attitudes of 1,040 British motorists as part of its 2008 RAC Report on Motoring. It found that 77% of motorists have changed their driving habits in the last year due to the higher cost of fuel – but just 6% had changed driving habits out of concern for the environment.

The cost vs. environment theme continued, with 77% of drivers saying that they would buy a greener car – if the tax incentives were better. In other words, they would buy a greener car if it was cheaper than a more polluting vehicle!

At the risk of sounding cynical, this is exactly what I expected – and to be honest, exactly what I do. My concerns are firstly for the health of my vehicle, secondly for reducing fuel consumption and other costs and thirdly (if that) for the environment.

Given the cost of owning and running a vehicle, no other approach really makes sense to me.

What do you think?

If you’d like to learn how to save money, save fuel and save the environment, check out my better driving tips here and learn why raising road tax on polluting vehicles won’t necessarily lower emissions.