Consumers prefer hybrids as full electric switch nerves continue

Consumer “nervousness” about making the switch to pure electric is the main reason behind the current surge in popularity of hybrids, dealers tell Startline.

Startline’s latest Used Car Tracker shows 63% of dealers think motorists feel this way, 52% of motorists see hybrids as a stepping stone, 42% of used car buyers like having some electric capacity but the reassurance of a petrol engine and 35% see hybrids as a long-term alternative.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “This year, sales of plug-in hybrids are up by 31.5% and other hybrids by 21.6%, compared to only 9.7% for full EVs.* It’s clear that hybrids are having something of a moment.

“From what dealers are saying in our research, it seems clear that consumers see them as a useful way to avoid some of the compromises they perceive around buying a full EV, such as range anxiety and the availability of charging.

“A hybrid provides a useful staging post until they feel comfortable with foregoing a petrol or diesel engine altogether.”

While only 8% have hybrids now, 39% expect their next car to be hybrid, but this falls to 30% for the car after.

For pure electric, just 3% of respondents have an electric car today but 16% expect their next car to be electric and 42% expect the car after to be electric.

Burgess said: “This is quite an interesting question that supports the idea that a large number of people see themselves as going on an ownership journey.

“While they might not be comfortable with a full EV now, they plan to switch to a hybrid and then go electric.

“By the time the consumers we questioned own their car after next, around seven out of 10 expect to be driving a hybrid or a full EV, which is a huge shift towards electrification for the market in quite a short time.”