Majority of drivers would consider electric or hybrid vehicle

By Andrew Baxter

23 September 2019

Nearly 60% of drivers would consider owning an electric or hybrid vehicle instead of a petrol or diesel to cut down on their carbon emissions, according to a poll conducted by Hyundai.

However, cost (58%) rated as the biggest concern for those considering an EV or hybrid car, followed by a worry about a lack of charging points (54%), while the time it takes to charge a car and range anxiety (both 46%) were other concerns.

The adoption of EVs and hybrids is of course a hot topic amongst fleet decision makers, but it is also proving to be an increasingly important consideration for company car drivers – and not just due to the 0% BIK incentive.

According to a survey by Mitie helping the planet is the most common reason for fleet drivers wanting to switch to low and zero emissions cars.

Commenting on its poll findings a spokesperson from Hyundai said: “The findings show how important the environment is to people living in the United Kingdom, with 70 per cent of respondents regarding man-made climate change and pollution as the biggest issue facing humanity.

“Hyundai is committed to accelerating the transition to clean mobility and is investing heavily into alternative-fuel vehicles.

“We already have zero emission models like the Kona Electric and the NEXO fuel cell which actually cleans the air as it’s driven, and by the middle of next year nearly 80% of our line-up will be available as an electrified version. This will give motorists a wide range of choice and allow them to make the switch to a more environmentally-friendly car that will still suit their needs.”

Hyundai is the only manufacturer in the UK that sells battery electric models, hybrids, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars.

These include the new zero-emission Ioniq Electric, with a range of up to 194 miles, which is also available in hybrid and plugin hybrid powertrains, and the new Kona Hybrid crossover, which joins the zero-emission Kona Electric offering a range of up to 279 miles.