HIGH fuel pump prices are encouraging drivers to buy vehicles with lower fuel consumption and use their vehicles less, according to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. Defending high fuel pump prices and the 75% price of fuel which goes into Treasury coffers, Commission chairman Sir Tom Blundell said motorists were being encouraged to opt for cars producing less carbon dioxide.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says carbon dioxide emissions of the average new cars sold in the UK in 1999 were 2.2% lower than in 1998, following a 0.9% reduction over the previous year.