Four in 10 (41% ) drivers plan to buy either a hybrid electric or fully-electric vehicle for their next car purchase, with 29 percent opting for hybrid electric and 12 percent for fully electric, according to a survey commissioned by Toyota Ireland.
Research was conducted by 3Gem in October found that, of the 750 motorists surveyed, 22 percent plan to buy a petrol car for their next vehicle, 15 percent will go diesel, and 19 percent are unsure of their next move.
The research coincided with Toyota’s new brand campaign, ‘Make the Move’ which encourages drivers to switch from diesel to hybrid electric. Cartell figures show that 1.4 million diesel cars are driven in Ireland today, which is said to have surprised 71 percent of those surveyed.
The research found that, when it comes to buying a ca, the top three considerations for Irish drivers are price (60% ), followed by fuel efficiency (48% ) and the size of the car (32% ).
Meanwhile, just 14 percent chose environmental impact as their top consideration falling behind driving comfort (15% ) engine size (16% ) and appearance (22% )
For the majority of those planning to buy a hybrid electric vehicle, 58 per cent are motivated by the claimed lower cost of running than a diesel or petrol car, 57 percent said it’s better for the environment, and 43 per cent agreed they will save money on fuel and motor tax in the long run.
For those on the fence about going fully electric, the top concerns are price (60% ), followed by the availability of charging points (47% ), and range when driving long distances (44% ) whilst 37 per cent are deterred by perceived lengthy charge times.
