New car preferences move away from greater size, weight and power: Impact of Dutch consumer choices on average CO2-emissions

Six years of CO2-based tax incentives for new passenger cars in The Netherlands: Impacts on purchasing behavior trends and CO2 effectiveness

“…The availability and awareness of several car-related tax reductions has most likely triggered many consumers to choose a different car than they would have in absence of the tax incentives. The correlation of Dutch tax incentives linked to specific CO 2 -limits and the sales distribution by CO 2 emissions, has been discussed in Kok (2013) and showed a strong sales volume concentration just below specific CO 2 thresholds. To what extent the interaction between very salient tax incentives and the market introduction of new low-emitting car models has changed new car purchasing trends is further explored in Section 4.…”

“…However, a more enhanced methodology was developed in Kok (2013) based on factor analysis of representative indicators for consumer preferences and for technological advances. Consumer preferences refer to revealed consumer purchasing preferences based on standardized data for the mass in running order, the engine power and the pan area 9 of passenger cars.…”

“…With respect to new cars and their proportionally related fuel efficiency and CO 2 emissions, many countries have witnessed a seemingly endless upward spiral in consumer preferences for buying bigger, heavier and more powerful cars, which has largely offset any fuel-efficiency gains from technological advances in the past (Cuenot, 2009;Knittel, 2011;Kwon, 2006;Ó Gallachóir et al, 2009;Sprei et al, 2008). Although the upward trend in car size, weight and power has long absorbed the CO 2 emissions reduction potential of new vehicle technologies, recent developments show stagnation and even a decline in these consumer amenities (Kok, 2013;Schipper, 2011;Sprei and Karlsson, 2013). Since 2007 a number of European countries including The Netherlands have implemented targeted tax changes to influence car purchasing trends towards lower CO 2 -emitting vehicles.…”

Reforming Vehicle Taxes on New Car Purchases Can Reduce Road Transport Emissions -- Ex Post Evidence.

“…This diminishes the observed CO2-advantage of diesel cars, and at times can mean that the diesel cars' CO2 advantage is worse off. 217 Knittel (2011) 218 and Sprei et al (2008) 219 also found 56 percent of CO2 reduction from technological advances in the European Member States between 2000 and 2007 was offset by increases in larger vehicles. However, from 2008 to 2011 this effect was neutralized through monitoring the carbon emissions bands.…”

Identifyingy the Utility Function of Transport Services From Stated Preferences

“…At environmental friendliness the emission level of an internal combustion engine was the sample for the so called bad level. This means more or less 179 g from CO 2 per kilometre (Kok, 2013). The good level has almost zero emission like walking and cycling.…”