Uptake still slow for e-cars

NEW research has revealed that while full-electric motoring looks to be some way in the future for most people, 37% of people will buy an electrified car next time around.

The survey of 690 Irish car drivers intending to purchase a new or used passenger vehicle within the next 24 months found that 26% of respondents are likely to opt for self-charging hybrid electric cars, making them now the second most popular car choice after petrol.

On the topic of what power train people intend purchasing for their next car, petrol ranked highest at 38%, followed by self-charging hybrid electric at 26%, diesel at 25%, full-electric at 7% and plug-in hybrid at 4%.

Commenting on the overall survey findings, Steve Tormey, CEO of Toyota Ireland said, ‘In my opinion, one of the key takeouts from the research is that despite the incentives on offer for electric and self-charging hybrid electric vehicles, adoption has been slow a nd if we are to progress at pace towards a zero emissions driving environment more may need to be done to ensure that customers are considering alternative powertrains and moving away from fossil fuels.’

The nationally representative study, which was conducted by iReach on behalf of Toyota Ireland, sought opinions and preferences on preferred propulsion choices for passenger cars including petrol, diesel, self-charging hybrid electric, full electric and hybrid plug-in variants.

Of those who said they were unlikely to purchase an electric car in the near future, when asked about their longer-term potential to purchase full-electric, 2% could see themselves moving into full-electric within three to five years, 19% within six to 10 years and 24% within 11 to 15 years. Rounding these figures up and adding in the 7% of respondents who are likely to choose an electric within the next 24 months, in theory it will take until 2033 for 52% of the current driving population to likely make the switch to electric.

Commenting on the survey findings on electric power trains, Steve Tormey said, ‘At Toyota we agree that zero emissions motoring is the future, and electric and hydrogen fuel cell powered cars should be widely embraced for the sake of our planet and future generations. Like any new technology it takes time for mass consumer adoption. This is something we saw with self-charging hybrid electric vehicles.

‘However, I do believe that full electric mass adoption will come earlier than the survey suggests given advancements in technology, a more widespread roll-out of charging stations and the fact that we will have younger, more environmentally conscious generations joining the motoring ranks year on year.’

Self-charging hybrid electric: Preference for hybrid electric vehicles has now out-passed diesel as more than every fourth survey respondent (26%) intends to opt for a cleaner and more efficient hybrid car.

Looking to the future, 73% believe hybrid to be the smartest option for the next five to 10 years – a number which jumps to 89% for 18 to 34 year-olds, while 63% embrace the environmentally sustainable credentials, 44% value its cost-effectiveness compared to other power train options and 34% cite its higher resale value potential.

Diesel: According to the survey preference for diesel passenger cars has fallen to 25%. Of those, 81% will choose diesel for its perceived cost-effectiveness, 35% believe it’s the best option for their needs today and 32% believe it has the best comparative resale value. 25% believe it’s the best option for the next five to 10 years.

Petrol: 38% of potential car buyers intend to buy a petrol engine car within the next 24 months. Of those, 44% cited cost-effectiveness as their top reason, followed by 42% who will opt for petrol as it is what they know best and have used most often, and 34% believe it best suits their needs today. However, when looking to the future a lower 23% believe it’s the best option for the next five to 10 years.

Plug-in hybrid: Only 4% of respondents are likely to purchase a plug-in hybrid as their next car, with 97% of those being confident that it is the best option for the next five to 10 years.

82% believe it is the most environmentally sustainable and 39% believe it to be the most cost-effective option for them.