We Love Our Big Cars in Australia

Australians are loath to surrender their petrol-thristy ways despite near record high petrol prices and the risk of climate change.

Fifty-five percent of drivers in Australia say they have no intention of compromising their lifestyle and intend to continue driving their cars without limitation on their activities, according to a new survey into automobile use by Research International (RI).

“The high usage of cars seems incompatible with stated attitudes of Australians towards both price and the environment. People don’t want to give up their big cars. If they have 2.4 kids they aren’t going to sell the Prado to buy a Yaris for the sake of the environment,” said Research International Strategy Director, Jonathan Sinton. “What they do care about is the cost of petrol.”

Half of those surveyed said they now buy fuel when it is cheapest and nearly half say they are using fuel dockets from supermarkets Coles or Woolworths.

If they were available, Australia’s car owners say they would use bio-fuels and renewable alternatives (64 percent).

Some Australians are still deeply in love with their big cars and a two-thirds of Aussies say say the continual increase in fuel prices won’t make them consider buying a smaller car

Over 1000 people nationwide aged 18-60 took part in Research International’s online survey into automobile use.