Almost 30 percent of gasoline drivers want a different car after an increase in excise taxes

There is a lot of excitement around the excise duty increase that will be introduced on January 1st if current plans remain in place. Research from AutoTrack shows that almost 30 percent of gasoline drivers would buy another car if the excise tax were increased.

Why is an excise tax increase being implemented? When war broke out in Ukraine and prices at the pump rose sharply, the government intervened by cutting excise taxes. On July 1, some of these excise tax reductions expired. The second part must be restored by January 1, 2024.

An increase in excise taxes means looking for another car

The research shows that 29.7 percent of gasoline drivers will consider a different, more fuel-efficient car after an excise tax increase. And when the psychological limit of 2.50 euros per liter is reached, 59 percent are willing to sell or trade in their gasoline engine.

42 percent also say that they will leave their car parked more often if the price of gasoline rises to 2.50 euros from January 1st due to the consumption tax increase. And yet the price of gasoline is already causing two out of ten drivers to leave their cars at home more often.

4 percent even say they are looking for a job close to home and 3.6 percent say they will get rid of their car completely. 3.3 percent would take the train more often if there was an increase in consumption tax.

17.5 percent say they will cycle more often if prices continue to rise, and 7.2 percent say they will work from home more often.

Research

The survey was conducted among 3,500 car owners. Of these, 76.8 percent drive a gasoline engine (or hybrid) and 16.8 percent drive a diesel engine (or hybrid). Only 2.3 percent of those surveyed drive electric cars. 86 percent of those surveyed are 40 years old or older.