Car Buyer Habits Shifting To Hybrid Vehicles

Published Date: 25th Jun 2021

Recent data has shown car buyers are researching hybrid cars a lot more, but many are still falling back to the tried and tested formula of a traditional petrol or diesel car when making their final purchase.

A few factors could explain motorist still opting for traditionally fuelled vehicles, firstly price; a petrol car is still significantly cheaper than its hybrid counterpart. Also, choice and availability can be limited, especially for car buyers looking for a used hybrid vehicle.

Like a lot of industries during COVID lockdown, the car manufacturing sector has suffered from a shortage of components down the supply chain, we wrote an article recently about the new Bosch Micro Chip factory responding to a severe shortage of micro chips for the automotive industry.

In fact, with available deals and government grants there is still a good argument for looking at a new electric car deal if your budget can stretch to it.

The studies gathered user data and patterns from around the country showing that petrol vehicles were still the number one choice for many with anything from one third to half of the users researching petrol cars. Although diesel vehicles are losing their popularity, there was a surge in research of them in locations like Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham who now have their own low emissions zones like London’s ULEZ zone which will be expanded in October 2021.

The statistics showed that the number of people researching hybrid cars has doubled in many areas from the same period a year ago, indicating motorists are very conscious of the hybrid and electric car era and government plans.

The number of motorists researching full electric cars is still significantly less that hybrids, indicating a lot of drivers are possibly looking to purchase a hybrid vehicle as a steppingstone before moving to a full electric one.

The government’s deadline for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is 2030, some hybrids will also be banned. The government is yet to decide on which hybrids will still be on sale beyond the 2030 deadline, but it will likely be those hybrids that can travel a significant distance in full electric mode. This will rule out mild hybrids for sure and most likely all self-charging hybrids too.