New research of British parents reveals that three quarters (75%) choose the car for the school run, with 80% of these stating convenience as the top reason for choosing to use the car, instead of a different mode of transport.
However, nearly half (47%) of parents will give up their car in support of National Walk To School Week (15th – 19th May), as they rack up 2,280 miles a year, the equivalent of driving from Dover to Madrid, twice.
The study, by webuyanycar, found that parents will drive a staggering 31,920 miles and spend £12,558, for the journey to and from their children’s school in their lifetime.
Other forms of commuting included walking, cycling or public transport, with 1 in 4 parents (25%) choosing one of these modes of transport, instead of using a car.
Rising costs of petrol and diesel were the top reason for them ditching the car to cycle or walk to school. Other reasons for not using a car, included exercise purposes (28%) and environmental reasons (19%).
Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, said: “It’s great to see that half of parents will be giving up the car to celebrate National Walk To School Week, along with others looking at more sustainable ways to head to school.
“Parents looking to be more environmentally conscious but still require a car for the school run, could consider selling their car to upgrade to an EV, which will also save on rising fuel costs.
“Whilst we can’t help parents rack up less miles every year on the school run, we can help with making selling your car quicker, with it taking under an hour to sell a car from quote to sale at webuyanycar.”
The survey showed that British parents are more environmentally conscious than ever, with half (49%) stating that they would give up using the car for the school commute for environmental reasons.
As 1 in 3 (35%) stated that rising costs of petrol and diesel has made them buy an electric vehicle sooner.
Despite more of a focus on sustainability, the study highlighted that the daily school commute still amounts to 18.2 tonnes of CO2 produced per child’s school lifetime, the equivalent of a return flight between London and New York, four times.
As more cities across the UK introduce the Clean Air Zone’s, 1 in 10 (10%) have changed their vehicle for the commute since living in a Clean Air Zone area, as 1 in 10 (9%) stated that they now live in a Clean Air Zone.
Cities that have recently introduced a Clean Air Zone, include Bristol, Bath and Birmingham.
Electric vehicles are exempt from the charges incurred from entering a Clean Air Zone, however, 9 in 10 (90%) Brits still don’t own an electric vehicle, with a quarter (26%) not considering an electric vehicle due to the lack of charging points in their area.
Webuyanycar has recently launched their ESG Policy to offset 1,000 tonnes of carbon by planting 273 trees, in a bid to become closer to a carbon neutral company.
