Research released on 19.11.2010 by Bosch revealed that despite 69% of drivers claiming to do their best for the environment, only 5% of motorists buying a new car would be influenced by a car’s ‘green’ credentials.

The ‘Bosch: Driving Green Britain’ survey studied a sample of over 1,000 UK car buyers. When asked to rank what was the main influence behind their purchase decision, 63% of motorists surveyed said that price was the most important factor, closely followed by vehicle size (at 56%). Design, style, brand and safety were all rated ahead of environmental considerations.

This survey result followed a day after Trend Tracker director Toby Procter's visit to the third and final day of the inaugural ‘eco2’ transport show at London’s Earls Court, where the hall was sadly empty of visitors. The lack of obvious enthusiasm for lower carbon cars contrasted starkly with the enthusiasm with which powertrain innovations were being promoted at the LA Auto Show.

Only towards the end of the first half of 2011 when the pre-orders for the first mainstream manufacturers' EVs have been fulfilled will it begin to be clear whose forecasts of EV market penetration are most likely to prove true. Meanwhile, to help the industry and its stakeholders understand the issues that will need to be addressed if EVs are to take off in time to save us from the effects of Peak Oil, Trend Tracker is preparing a new report.
EVs: Energy, Infrastructure and Mobility in the Real World will be published in January 2011, with chapters on:

• EV technology
• Battery chemistries
• Profiles of X EV manufacturers and Y traction battery manufacturers
• EVs and power generation
• Recharging infrastructure development
• Oil and other critical resource constraints
• Market penetration forecasts
• Fiscal policies
• Business models

This report from Trend Tracker Ltd., one of the UK’s foremost automotive research companies, is based on strategic research and three years of tracking developments in the EV and automotive sectors. No mere technology update, it offers uncomfortable advice based on a mass of technology, energy and resources data. It’s designed to help investors, politicians, environmentalists and senior executives in the automotive and power utility sectors get to grips with the dynamics and problems of what could be the most seismic transition since globalisation –from oil to electricity.

Toby Procter

Trend Tracker Limited

0870 421 4350

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