More Hungarian Drivers Prefer Electric/Hybrid Vehicles

18% of Hungarian motorists would like to buy an electric or hybrid vehicle within one or two years, compared to 16% last year, according to a representative survey conducted by Generali Insurance in January, the results of which were published by the company this Thursday.

According to the statement, those who do not intend to buy an electric or hybrid vehicle are mainly motivated by financial reasons (84%). Aside from price, convenience is the main factor: short range (57%) and limited charging options (50%) are also a deterrent.

Respondents cited environmental concerns (71%) and fuel prices (70%) as the main reasons for switching to a cleaner car, compared to 53% in last year's survey. A new factor this year (22%) was that environmentally friendly forms of transport were considered fashionable.

According to the survey, 62% of Hungarian adults own a car, but only 1% of them own an environmentally friendly one.

The survey also looked at changes in car use habits. Urban dwellers aged over 50 are the most likely to get behind the wheel (36%), while young people aged 18-29 (19%) and people living in Budapest (16%) are less likely, it said.

61% of respondents in the survey had got into a car much less often in the recent past than before. The reasons cited for this were 64% the rise in petrol prices, 17% a drastic increase in parts prices and repair costs, but the proportion of people working from home also reached 10%.