One in four drivers will purchase a hybrid vehicle as the UK looks to transition to fully electric by 2035 and ban new petrol and diesel cars and vans.
With more than half of drivers looking to purchase a new vehicle this year, few motorists are looking at getting a petrol or diesel-powered vehicle.
Only one in 10 said they would purchase a diesel-fuelled vehicle, while less than a third of drivers said they would opt for a petrol car.
The transition to hybrid follows the Government's ambitious plans to have 80 per cent of new cars and 70 per cent of new vans sold in the UK produce zero emissions by 2035, a delay of five years from the original plan.
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Only one in 10 said they would purchase a diesel-fuelled vehicle
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Almost half of drivers said the delay would give them more time to purchase an alternative fuel vehicle ahead of the 2035 deadline.
Lisa Watson, director of sales at Close Brothers Motor Finfance, which commissioned the research, said: “There’s certainly a desire to switch to electric, but with the current economic climate and financial pressures faced by many UK households.
“It’s likely that costs are prohibiting more widespread EV adoption in the UK. Coupled with concerns about infrastructure many are opting for hybrid – a segway from leaping from fully petrol to fully electric.”
While drivers still need to make the switch to a cleaner vehicle, 14 per cent of surveyed motorists still remain confused over which vehicle fuel type to buy.
A further 42 per cent revealed they were more confused than ever before, while 41 per cent were concerned about not making the right choice.
When it comes to purchasing intentions, one in five plan on purchasing a new car, while 18 per cent would opt for a used or second-hand car.
Watson added: “Although the UK recently hit a milestone of the one-millionth EV being registered, the statistics remain skewed by fleet sales, and demand is not where it needs to be if the 2035 ban is to be realistic.
"More will need to be done to encourage drivers to make the switch. And it’s not just drivers who remain cautious, currently just one in five dealers believe the ban will actually go ahead.”
Additionally, 58 per cent of drivers stated they believe there is a good choice of high-quality used cars on the market.
Watson continued, saying: “As drivers look to make new vehicle purchases this year, it’s vital that dealers ensure they’re stocking the right stock to meet the demand.
“Continuing to utilise insights and tools to monitor trends and cater for demand will be essential, particularly amidst the growing confusion over vehicle and fuel type choice.”
With more Britons needing to make the transition to an electric vehicle, van drivers are becoming increasingly more worried about meeting Government targets.
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More than half of drivers looking to purchase a new vehicle this year
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The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association called for immediate action by the Government to help the public transition towards electric vehicles, or it risks not meeting its net zero targets.
The call follows the news that over three million people who rely on vans in the UK are at risk of falling behind the UK’s zero-emission journey, unless action is taken to support the transition to electric vans.