Cost savings key benefit of greener motoring for consumers

Whilst the Government has promised to continue its support for low CO2 emission cars in the Budget, the latest survey from ExchangeandMart.co.uk reveals that reducing costs comes over and above protecting the environment. 46% of consumers say fuel efficiency is a key factor in the purchasing process, and 84% of those said cost was the main reason for this.

The increasing popularity and success of hybrid vehicles means motorists have more choice than ever. However, a whopping 48% of those surveyed said they have never seriously considered buying a hybrid vehicle. In fact, only 14% had considered it and do plan to buy one.

Over 46% say fuel consumption is a key consideration, with a further 34% admitting it somewhat affects their purchase. When asked why fuel efficiency was a concern, the overwhelming majority (52.6%) said it was mainly down to cost savings but also a little to do with the environment. Nearly 31% said it was only down to cost, and just 2.6% looked at fuel efficiency purely for environmental reasons.

“Our survey shows that fuel efficiency plays some part in the purchasing decision of a car for 80% of consumers,” says Michael Tang, Marketing Communications Manager at Exchange and Mart. “Of those we surveyed, the environmental impact of a vehicle comes way below fuel costs, showing that as the general cost of living is on the rise, consumers are looking for ways to reduce the cost of running a car. Hybrid vehicles remain a nice idea for some, but the large price tags may be putting people off.”