Air Pollution Worries To Drive Fuel-Cell Sales, Hints Hyundai Study
Consumer research by Hyundai suggests clean-air concerns are becoming a major marketing asset for zero emission vehicles.
A study of 2,000 UK motorists revealed nearly one in-five worry about pollution on a daily basis with 74% believing they could, and should, do more to lead an environmentally friendly lifestyle. The survey found that when it comes to what people worry about with air pollution, 56 % cited its effect on their children that worries them most. Unsurprisingly residents of the country’s busiest city London worried most with 55% expressing concerns over air pollution compared to 52% in Edinburgh and 50% in Manchester.
The carmaker’s study comes with news that it will begin sales of its new Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle in Europe next year albeit only to selected vehicle lease companies at a UK price of £65,000 ($84,600). It features an air purification system claiming to filter 99.9% of very fine dust (PM2.5). The vehicle shows the amount of air purified on the display panel in the car each time you drive.
In a one hour trip, the system claims to clean the same amount of air pollutants that two internal combustion engine cars emit – enough clean air for 42 adults to breathe for one hour. Demonstrations of the new vehicle will take place this weekend in the UK capital including test drives for selected residents.
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
