-
Nearly a quarter (22%) of drivers say they will make
the switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle for their next car,
up from the 2% who drive them currently
-
AA Cars data finds that there has been a 470% jump in
people searching for ‘green’ vehicles since 2014 on the used
car portal
-
Meanwhile, fewer than one in eight (12%) drivers plan
for their next car to be a diesel one with over half blaming
government policy (56%) and negative press (58%)
-
The overwhelming majority of diesel owners (92%) call
on the government to provide more certainty on the future of
diesel cars
The shift away from diesel has more drivers planning to choose an
eco-friendly car than ever before, with nearly a quarter (22%)
claiming they are ready to make the switch, according to new
research by AA Cars.
The AA-Populus poll of over 20,000 drivers shows that this would
be a dramatic increase from the 2% of drivers who currently drive
a green car.
Nevertheless, the changing perception of green vehicles is
something which is echoed by original data from AA Cars, which
shows a 470% increase in people searching for used hybrid and
electric vehicles, since 2014.
The positive outlook for alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFVs) is
in stark contrast with that for diesel - the research finds that
fewer than one in eight (12%) drivers are intending to choose
diesel, when the time comes to purchase a new car.
The data suggests that confusing government policy (56%) and
contrasting stories reported in the media (58%) have put buyers
off seeking out diesels as their next car - increasing taxes for
the majority of diesel drivers and a contrasting narrative that
newer diesel technology is cleaner than other fuel types has
added to this confusion.
Diesel owners themselves are likely to be the most confused by
the shift in messaging and 92% of them call on the government to
provide a clearer picture on the future of diesel vehicles in the
UK. As a fifth of diesel car drivers say they would never expect
to own another diesel again, clearer policy that doesn’t lump all
diesels drivers together in universally paying higher tax rates
would be most welcome for drivers and the industry.
The need for clarity is cemented even further as a quarter of
drivers (24%) mistakenly believe that new diesel cars are as
harmful to the environment as older ones. As a result of this
misconception, there has been a 45% decrease in people searching
for used diesel cars on the AA Cars site over the last five
years.
James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars says: “The
appetite for electric and hybrid vehicles has increased
significantly over the last few years, which is in no small part
due to big technological leaps forward in the space.
“These advances mean vehicles can travel further on a
single charge, charge points are an increasingly common sight
across the country (currently over 18,000, being added to at a
rate of about 800 per month**) and manufacturers are designing
more attractive models all the time. These are all
contributing to the warming public opinion of environmentally
friendly cars.
“The government has been keeping an eye on this increasing
take-up and is now withdrawing grants for plug-in hybrids and
reducing existing grants for pure electric vehicles. The
implication is that mounting enthusiasm for non-traditionally
fuelled cars won’t be dampened by removing financial incentives
from the government.
“The outlook for diesel cars appears less positive though as our
research reflects a mixture of misconception and uncertainty
among traditional diesel drivers. As it
stands, the used car market is following a similar trajectory to
the new car market, with an uplift in searches for used green
vehicles and a decrease in searches for diesel cars.
“Drivers are clearly crying out for a sense of clarity on diesel
cars. A fair voice would help to demonstrate that modern diesels
can be clean and fuel-efficient but also bolster the place of
green vehicles in the car industry - this isn’t a zero-sum game.
“The pervasive feeling of uncertainty around the role of diesels
is distorting and confusing the market for buyers and sellers.
Before parting ways with money for a new or used diesel, it’s
worth looking at sites like AA Cars to check
that you’re getting the best deal for your money by comparing
against the price tag of similar models and ages.”
- ENDS -
Notes to editor
*Populus interviewed 20,561 AA members on the AA-Populus
online panel between 11th and 17th September 2018. Populus is a
founder member of the British Polling Council and abides by its
rules.
** https://www.zap-map.com/ 15
October 2018
