DEMAND for air conditioning in cars is rising, with 55% of motorists saying they would like the feature fitted in their next car, according to a Vauxhall survey. Air conditioning is already offered as standard on an increasing number of vehicles and Vauxhall believes that demand will result in its cost falling, with the bonus of lower company car tax bills.

Air conditioning is standard equipment on four out of six Vauxhall Omega saloons and estates and in a number of Vectra hatchbacks and saloons where it is installed in lieu of a standard sunroof. It is also standard on the Astra CDX and Monterey Diamond models and can be specified on the Calibra. In addition the Sintra, Vauxhall's MPV to be launched at the end of the year, will see all models fitted with air conditioning as standard.

According to the Vauxhall survey 15% of drivers interviewed already have air conditioning and the manufacturer says it is also taking on board growing medical evidence that a cool car means a cool head and a more relaxed and safer driver.

In the USA a non air conditioned car is a rarity and Vauxhall believes that position will soon prevail in Europe. According to Vauxhall the additional fuel used by the air conditioning unit depends on the vehicle, the weather and the traffic situation, but on average it adds an extra gallon of petrol consumption for around every 560 miles travelled.