• Almost two-thirds (63%) of dealers say consumers want to electrify but are nervous about buying a full electric vehicle (EV)
• 52% say consumers see hybrids as a stepping stone to an EV
• 42% say having petrol power available is reassuring, according to the new August Startline Used Car Tracker

August’s new Startline Used Car Tracker shows 63% think motorists feel this way - followed by 52% who say consumers see hybrids as a stepping stone to going fully electric.

Also, say that 42% of used car buyers like having some electric capacity but the reassurance of a petrol engine, and that 35% see hybrids as a long-term alternative to a full EV.

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.”

The Startline Used Car Tracker also asks consumers about the fuel type of their current car, the likely fuel type of their next car, and then the car afterward.

It shows that while only 8% have hybrids now, 39% expect their next car to be hybrid, but this falls off to 30% for the car after. For full EVs, just 3% of respondents have an electric car today but 16% expect their next car to be electric and 42% the car following. By the time they are driving the car after next, just 21% expect it to be petrol and 8% diesel.

Paul 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.”

The Startline Used Car Tracker is compiled monthly for Startline Motor Finance by APD Global Research, well-known in the motor industry for their business intelligence reporting and customer experience programs. This time, 321 consumers and 58 dealers were questioned.

*SMMT registration data January-May 2024.