More drivers looking for fuel-efficient vehicles

Date: 10/5/2011

A growing number of British drivers are hunting for fuel-efficient motors, according to a new study.

Figures from used vehicle retailer Carmony.co.uk show a rise in website searches based on fuel efficiency-related criteria in March compared with the same month last year.

Queries relating to petrol electric hybrid cars soared by 32 per cent, while searches for vehicles capable of 40 mpg saw a 36 per cent increase over the same period.

Meanwhile, the number of queries for petrol cars dropped by around 20 per cent, with those for diesel vehicles comprising almost 80 per cent of all searches.

Neil Packham of Carmony.co.uk said the trend can be attributed to drivers looking to cut their motoring expenses wherever possible.

"It's not just the outright price of the car that motorists have to consider. Motorists are becoming more savvy when it comes to running costs," he remarked.

The statistics come shortly after SMMT released figures indicating that registrations of new alternatively fuelled vehicles are on the increase, rising by 48 per cent in April compared with the same month in 2010.

Posted by Nick Anderson