Press release 21: Motorists Helping to Tackle Global Warming

DVLA online service cuts 13,500 tonnes of CO2 - saves 48 million miles of car journeys

 

Motorists often bear the brunt of criticism when it comes to climate change and the nation’s carbon footprint, but new statistics from DVLA reveal that internet-savvy drivers can play a vital role in the battle against global warming. DVLA customers who have taxed their cars online or by phone have contributed to a 13,500 tonne reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since the service was introduced – enough CO2 to fill 81,000 double-decker buses.

 

Nearly 12 million motorists have used DVLA’s electronic vehicle licensing service since March 2004, saving the equivalent of 48 million miles worth of car journeys. Motorists recently surveyed by DVLA who haven’t yet used the new service said they spend on average up to 10 minutes or four miles driving to their local licensing office in order to license their car in person.

 

Trewin Restorick, Director of the environmental charity Global Action Plan has praised DVLA’s electronic car tax service. He said:   "At Global Action Plan we believe that simple behaviour changes by individuals can make a big difference in the fight against climate change. Renewing your tax electronically instead of driving to your local DVLA office is one quick and easy way to help reduce your personal carbon footprint, as short car journeys are the most polluting. A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective."    

 

Andrew Rhodes, DVLA’s Head of Electronic Customer Services, is delighted that the new service is having such a positive impact on the planet: "Taxing online or by phone is quick, easy and convenient, as it only takes a few minutes to do, so it’s no surprise that huge numbers of DVLA customers are taking to this service. As more motorists become aware of the environmental benefits of taxing electronically, we are sure that this will play a significant role in whether they choose to tax their vehicle online, by phone or in person."

 

DVLA and Global Action Plan are keen to encourage motorists to keep up the good environmental work by adopting a few other simple tips for increasing fuel efficiency, as promoted by the Department for Transport's ACT ON CO2 campaign. These 'smarter driving' tips include:

• Maintaining correct tyre pressures
• Don't carry unnecessary weight in the car, eg remove roof racks when not required
• Don't over rev the engine - change up a gear a little earlier when you can.

If all drivers in the UK followed the smarter driving tips, CO2 emissions from cars could be reduced by 8% - or over 5.5million tonnes of CO2 a year, saving motorists over £2billion a year in fuel costs.  

 

As Andrew Rhodes concludes; "This demonstrates that we can all make a difference to climate change by making small changes in our routines or behaviour. Something as simple as taxing your car by electronic means can really make a difference collectively. You could say that taxing online or by phone is one of the less taxing ways to help save the planet."

 

For further information about DVLA’s electronic car tax system, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/motoring. For further information about driving smarter to save on CO2 emissions, visit www.dft.gov.uk/actonco2

 

-ends-

 

Notes to editors:

 

Andrew Rhodes is available for interview – please contact Fiona Anderson or Andrew Smith at MGB PR on 01792 460200, or andrews@mgbpr.com.

 

For general DVLA enquiries please contact

 

DVLA Press Office

01792 782318

e-mail: press.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk.

 

 

Region	Total Electronic Car Tax Transactions	Miles Saved	CO2 Saved (tonnes)
East Anglia	903,396	3,613,584	1,024
London	1,382,166	5,528,664	1,563
Midlands	1,852,957	7,411,828	2,094
North East	455,873	1,823,492	519
North West	1,277,729	5,110,916	1,445
Scotland	871,920	3,487,680	988
South	1,456,668	5,826,672	1,647
South West	944,820	3,779,280	1,070
Wales	504,175	2,016,700	574
Yorkshire	948,889	3,795,556	1,075

 

* Figures calculated using carbon calculator on carbonfootprint.com following feedback from 1,291 motorists on average journey times/distances to tax their vehicles in person. Survey carried out in August 2007 by tickbox.net on behalf of DVLA.