2:42 am, December 12, 2010
GLASS’S has found that almost 53 per cent of motorists believe electric cars are the future of motoring.
A survey conducted by the vehicle valuations firm found that 53 per cent of motorists thought that electric cars were ‘the future of motoring’, compared with just 28 per cent who thought they were a ‘marketing gimmick’.
9 per cent of motorists said they would actually consider buying an electric or hybrid vehicle as their next car purchase (0.5 per cent for EVs and 8.7 per cent for hybrids).
Also, 60 per cent of motorists either agree or partly agreed that electric vehicles have the potential to replace their household’s cars.
Of this figure, 23 per cent agreed that electric and hybrid vehicles could fully replace their household’s cars, while the remaining 37 per cent said that electric and hybrid vehicles could replace their second cars.
However, motorists are not knowledgeable about makers of electric cars. When asked if they could name a model or make of electric or hybrid vehicle other than the Toyota Prius, 57 per cent could not.
Andy Carroll, Glass’s managing director, said: ‘The results of the survey are encouraging for the EV market and show that a large proportion of motorists can see electric or hybrid vehicles potentially replacing their main – or at least second – family vehicles, even if they are not yet willing to buy one.
‘What is crucial now is that manufacturers do more to educate consumers on the practical benefits and constraints of owning these vehicles. The Government’s 2011 plug-in scheme, which will offer buyers up to £5,000 off EVs, will provide an excellent platform for doing so.
‘With the launch of the Nissan Leaf in the UK next year, along with the roll-out of the plug-in scheme, consumer awareness of electric and hybrid vehicles should really start to build.’
