New research by Tescocompare.com found that financial incentives rather than environmental concerns are the main driver of car choice.

Almost two-thirds of motorists said they would be prepared to switch to a low-emitting vehicle if road tax was reduced but only a fifth would be persuaded by the higher taxes introduced on high-polluting vehicles in April's budget.

“The message that the British driver is sending to the Government is empathetic – they are happy to embrace green driving but want to be rewarded for doing so,” said Paul Baxter of Tescocompare.com.

“Penalising them for not being green is much less of an incentive.”

The research also found that the take up of green vehicles is highest in Wales and the South West at 12 per cent.

This is three times the penetration of London, where only 4 per cent of car drivers own a ‘green' or low-emission car.

In the West Country as many people chose their current vehicle because of its environmental credentials as its colour.