Air pollution is the cause of more than 500,000 premature deaths in Europe every year, fresh figures from the European Environment Agency have revealed.
With the majority of Brits now citing air pollution as a daily concern, a study conducted to coincide with the EEA figures found 74 per cent now admit they could do more to lead an environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
Londoners are most concerned about the effects of air pollution, followed by those in Edinburgh and Manchester.
The study, of 2,000 adults by Hyundai, found the effect air pollution is having on children is the biggest concern.
Julia Devonshire, a mum-of-two, said: “When it comes to air pollution, I think about the effect it may have on my children.
“Luckily, they don’t have asthma or any conditions like that because I think then it would be much more concerning.
“However, this has made us think more about the emissions we put out as a family, and the measures we could take to reduce them.”
Technology expert Georgie Barrat has teamed up with Hyundai, talking to Brits to explore their attitudes to air pollution.
Georgie said: “It was really interesting listening to the Devonshire’s concerns when it comes to air pollution, and it’s understandable that parents are worried about what their children are breathing in.
“Hyundai’s Nexo is one of the solutions that could help address our air quality problem and it was great to see it in action.
“Refuelling with hydrogen was surprisingly quick and easy – just like filling up a petrol or diesel car – and it’s incredible that the only by-product is water.
“But what I found most impressive is how Nexo actually cleans the polluted air around it as it drives – it’s like a road hoover.”
Hyundai’s new Kona Electric model has a range of up to 300 miles between charges, with the car manufacturer taking 500 orders in just eight weeks.
The Nexo SUV, which will start from around £65,000, has a driving range of up to 414 miles and takes around five minutes to refuel.
It recently became the first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle to be awarded the maximum five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP.
There are currently 11 publicly accessible Hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK, with this number expected to reach 65 across the UK by 2030.
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