UK motoring costs too much: survey

Honda bids to raise enviro-cred with hybrid

By PH Staff / Wednesday, 29 March 2006 / Loading comments

Honda Civic Hybrid: on sale 1 April

We don't care about the environment and the cost of motoring is a major concern to most of us, according to Honda's latest survey of UK motorists, conducted in a bid to raise awareness of its own hybrid technology and products.

New research revealed at the launch of Honda’s Civic Hybrid car shows that British drivers are ignorant when it comes to understanding greener motoring.

The research, carried out by TNS on behalf of Honda UK, questioned 1,200 British drivers on their attitudes towards the environment and their understanding of alternative fuel vehicles.

More than half (51 per cent) of British motorists were not even aware of hybrid cars. Of the drivers who said they knew of hybrids, more than 40 per cent didn't know that it was a car that uses both petrol and electric power. Incorrect responses ranged from the intelligent guess ("a car that uses a combination of fuels") to the bizarre ("two cars welded together" or "a car made by more than one manufacturer").

The research also asked people to name a type of alternative fuel vehicle and a huge 82 per cent failed to mention the petrol-electric hybrid car. Hybrids are as easy to use and refuel as a standard petrol car, said Honda, but people were more likely to quote LPG (far more complex for a day-to-day motorist) or fully electric cars (impractical because of the frequent need to stop and recharge).

People were even less aware of the potential cost savings of owning a hybrid car. Only 35 per cent of those surveyed correctly associated hybrids with lower fuel costs. Very few knew that hybrids entitled the owner to reduced company car tax (four per cent), lower road fund tax (two per cent) and the 100 per cent discount from the London congestion charge (two per cent).

The research shows British drivers are more likely to be motivated by money rather than by environmental responsibility. When the 73 per cent who said they were unlikely to buy a hybrid were asked what would make them consider one, the top factor (43 per cent) was "if I was sure running costs would be lower" followed by "if petrol became too expensive" (34 per cent). This substantiates the number one reason for rejecting a hybrid: "too expensive" (34 per cent).

Similarly, of the 18 per cent who would consider a hybrid car, the top motivating factor was lower fuel costs (54 per cent) rather than environmental benefits (39 per cent).

When asked who should be responsible for encouraging better take up of greener vehicles, 70 per cent suggested the Government or car manufacturers (35 per cent each).

Less than a fifth (17 per cent) of drivers saw it as their own responsibility to lessen the environmental impact of their vehicles.

However, Honda didn't ask questions about the effect of today's battery-based hybrid technology on residuals. These are likely to be affected by the very expensive cost of replacing worn-out batteries, although the relatively small number of hybrids on the road and the recentness of their emergence makes this calculation difficult.

The clear message from the survey is that UK motorists believe that motoring is too expensive.