Almost 70% of the UK public think new technology will play a big role in reducing the environmental impact of transportation in the UK.

Nissan’s research explores its own achievements as well as some of the greatest transport innovations of the last nine decades

That’s according to new research carried out by Nissan to mark its 90^th birthday.

The carmaker, founded on 26 December 1933, has established a storied history of automotive success, and its new research explores people’s opinions on a list of other significant transport innovations over the last nine decades.

Concorde’s first flight, the opening of the Channel Tunnel and the invention of satnav came out top in the OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK adults. The electrification of the London Underground, the first modern hovercraft and the first zebra crossing also ranked in the top 30.

The Nissan Leaf featured at number 19 on the list, while EVs specifically were voted as the innovation that holds the most promise for the future of UK sustainability. A third of those polled also believe the motor industry has undergone the most exciting changes over the past nine decades – compared to aviation, rail and cycling.

More sustainable road travel (38%), scientific advancement (16%) and employment opportunities (11%) were also seen as the biggest opportunities within the EV industry.

A total of 70% of those surveyed believe transport innovation has had a positive impact on their own lives, and 54% claim it has made travelling easier for them.

Almost three-quarters (71%) agree it has improved their ability to travel and commute up and down the country, and staying connected with family and friends has become easier for 30%.

And 41% of those polled have been able to save time on their journeys, while 43% are able to travel to longer-distance locations thanks to the various innovations.

Looking to the future, the study showed 69% think that new technologies will feature strongly in work to slash the eco impact of transportation in this country.

The survey also revealed that 27% are in favour of introducing artificial intelligence (AI) into the car industry, while 29% hold the same views for public transport.

Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan GB, said: “Over the last 90 years, we’ve always dared to do things differently at Nissan and have delivered some truly ground-breaking innovations along the way.

“We’re so proud of this pioneering spirit and the people who make up our incredible global team at Nissan – I look forward to sharing more automotive design, technology and driving excitement with our customers in the future.”

Transport Innovations of the Last 90 Years

1976 – Concorde makes first passenger-carrying supersonic flight

1957 – First flight of a commercial jet airliner

1994 – The opening of the channel tunnel

1958 – First commercial jet airliner

1981 – Maiden flight of the space shuttle

1960 – Launch of the first Sat Nav

1951 – Creation of power steering

1988 – First airbag

1934 – Introduction of the Driving Test

1955 – Creation of the Hovercraft

1959 – The first three-point seat belt

2022 – First zero-emission electric flight takes place

1939 – First practical helicopter built

1949 – First zebra crossing

1971 – The Lunar Roving vehicle is used on the moon

1964 – Launch of the Bullet Train

1939 – Creation of automatic transmission

1967 – Automatic Train Operation: London Underground

2010 – Launch of the world’s first mass-produced electric car

1984 – Driverless Cars

1953 – First air conditioning in a car

2022 – First railway line run by hydrogen-powered trains

1971 – ABS technology first used on a car

1940 – First electric bus delivered

2003 – First automatic parking

2016 – First hydrogen-powered flight

1984 – First car with a CD player

2001 – First hands-free Bluetooth kit

2018 – First driverless trams tested

1958 – Creation of cruise control