The National Centre for Social Research has issued an informative report on the role of the car in the travel choices and needs of low income households.  The research employed focus groups covering the full range of incomes and in-depth interviews with people in low income households.  Key findings were that people were strongly attached to car use.  The car plays a central role in their lives in gaining access to employment and education opportunities and services, as well as contact with family and friends.  People gave priority to car costs, which were treated as non-negotiable.  The research suggested that people’s attitudes to cars could be categorized into three types: enthusiasm and enjoyment; dependent, reflecting a need for car-based mobility; and practical - convenient for particular journeys.

The report concludes that the car plays an important role in the lives of low income households, allowing access to key services and to the opportunities that are available to everyone – hence the high levels of car ownership amongst low income groups, despite the considerable cost. There are few clear qualitative differences in the role of the car for this group, compared with the general population. 

The policy challenge is how to reduce the negative impacts of car use without aggravating the transport disadvantage of low income groups.  If low income drivers are so wedded to their cars, the scope for behavioural change away from car use by those with less financial motivation looks pretty limited.