Research Topic

The Potential for ‘Green’ Fiscal Measures to Lessen the Environmental Impact of Private Car Use in Scotland

The research focuses upon the psychology of taxation – understanding behavioural change in response to purchase and circulation taxes associated with owning a private vehicle. The environmental agenda provides the backdrop: where the system of vehicle taxation is facilitating the transition towards lower emission vehicles; contributing towards the wider goal of lowering the carbon footprint associated with transport and other sectors. In this respect, behaviour refers to the vehicle purchasing decision, focusing primarily upon the thought process. The primary method of data collection will take a quantitative stance and utilise a questionnaire survey with a sample of 5,000 Scottish motorists. Following on from this, a series of focus groups have provisionally been planned for, dependent upon initial analysis of the questionnaire.