A J.D. Power and Associates study has revealed that despite a considerable increase in the number of green cars offered, hybrids and EVs will capture less than 10% of the market by 2016. Buyers are currently favourable to them, but automakers will still have to struggle to convince the handful of interested consumers to take the plunge.
Despite the spike in gas prices and the fact that people consider lower fuel costs as the main advantage of owning a hybrid or EV, only 50% cite that they are “better for the environment” as their number one benefit. Even worse, consumers are still intimidated by them.
Generally speaking, buyers are put off by the purchase price and fear the limited operating range, the higher maintenance costs and the limited performance. They are also more likely to turn to a more fuel-efficient, internal combustion engine model.
As for electric vehicles, the main concerns are the operating range and availability of charging stations.
Diesel cars still have a bad rap because buyers are basing their judgment on older models, which smelled more and produced more harmful emissions. Also, accessibility and the price of fuel, two factors that are out of the manufacturers’ control, are also cited as main concerns.
The information gathered by the American firm also backs up the findings of other recent studies, namely that automakers have a colossal task ahead of them if they want to improve their technologies while bringing down sales price.
J.D. Power and Associates predicts that there will be 159 models of cars, SUVs and pickups using alternative powertrains in the U.S. in 2016.
Despite the spike in gas prices and the fact that people consider lower fuel costs as the main advantage of owning a hybrid or EV, only 50% cite that they are “better for the environment” as their number one benefit. Even worse, consumers are still intimidated by them.
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| Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com |
Generally speaking, buyers are put off by the purchase price and fear the limited operating range, the higher maintenance costs and the limited performance. They are also more likely to turn to a more fuel-efficient, internal combustion engine model.
As for electric vehicles, the main concerns are the operating range and availability of charging stations.
Diesel cars still have a bad rap because buyers are basing their judgment on older models, which smelled more and produced more harmful emissions. Also, accessibility and the price of fuel, two factors that are out of the manufacturers’ control, are also cited as main concerns.
The information gathered by the American firm also backs up the findings of other recent studies, namely that automakers have a colossal task ahead of them if they want to improve their technologies while bringing down sales price.
J.D. Power and Associates predicts that there will be 159 models of cars, SUVs and pickups using alternative powertrains in the U.S. in 2016.
