Accenture: Fuel economy not enough to mainstream hybrids and EVs
60 percent want hybrids to be superior in every wayAccording to a new Accenture Study taken in the US, Canada, Germany, France and Italy, 6 out 10 consumers will only buy a hybrid when it is "superior to gasoline-only models in every way." Likewise, just 36 percent of consumers cited higher gas prices as a reason to buy a hybrid or electric car.
Unfortunately, according to the survey, "those that have driven a hybrid or electric vehicle rate fuel efficiency as being very good to excellent, but most rate the ride, performance, style and maintenance as good at best."
Thus, Accenture concludes that automakers will need to "achieve competitive differentiation, " such as "distinctive capabilities, particularly around safety, environmental protection and entertainment” to achieve mainstream success with hybrid and electric vehicles.
On a side note, of the 42 percent that are willing to buy a hybrid or EV in the next few years, 80 percent are interested in hybrid cars rather than electric vehicles.
Labels: electric cars, Hybrid Vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:44 AM
11 Comments:
That further explains why hybrids are still only 3% of the market.
That 3% represents those who few greenlings and foreign oil indpendence supporters that rate fuel economy number one over all features...
very true.
still, the "competitive differentiation" factor is an interesting take on the problems of hybrid and EV adoption, and the possible solutions.
with their greater battery power, for instance, both hybrids and EVs can offer entertainment options that other vehicles might not be able to match.
certainly, coming up with such differentiating factors will not be easy, but it does offer a factor of possibility that has been missing in many studies.
much of the change needed to expand hybrid and EV adoption is cultural, not technological. perhaps this can lead to the missing piece of the puzzle?
likewise, and even more important, i think this study, again, demonstrates that Ford, Toyota, Hyundai - even VW - are far ahead of GM in the race to the future.
the Volt is not enough. in no way is that a rip on the volt - a program i still FULLY support - just a rip on GM's over-tendency to throw too many eggs in too few baskets. prius-contending conventional hybrids MUST be a bigger piece of GM's solutions.
I don't get this superior BS mentality. What's wrong with having a car that is the SAME as today's cars but get's MUCH better mileage due to a hybrid system?
This all comes down to how sheeple have been brainwashed into thinking in order to accept change, it has to be better in every way possible...even if that is impossible.
I'm with you Noz.
But remember....
Before the 2008 oil crisis, Americans rated "cup holders" more important than fuel economy when making vehicle purchase decisions.
ultimately, most people are fearful of change. we are creatures of habit.
still, it is depressing.
True Dahc,
I remember how people refused to break away from AT&T back in the late 80's and early 90's. Can you imagine having your original rotary phone with AT&T long distance rates today?
Heck, even my 76-year old father has a blackberry now....
Change may not be easy, but it is inevitable....
Absolutely. Change is coming whether we like it or not.
I've been thinking about getting a hybrid car for a while, but I just don't have the money for it. With a house payment and a kid to send to college, it just isnt the right time for me. Been using the Fuel Doctor FD-47 though to save money. So far all good:) What else have you guys used?
Driver smarter, plan better.
Indigo Incarnates
I think price is still the most formidable stumbling block to hybrids being more mainstream. This is, of course, the manufacturers' faults. Let's face it: when Toyota launches a new hybrid, it's almost always a Lexus in the $50k-100k range. How mainstream is that? Likewise, GM has a $40k pickup truck hybrid that gets a whopping 19MPG. The Ford Fusion, although a wonderful piece of engineering, costs almost $10k more than the base Fusion.
Only Honda had a hybrid for less than $20k (I got my Insight LX for $17.5k). It's sales have not been good because the hybrid snobs thumb their noses at mild hybrids (for me, I'll take my 51 MPG any way I can get it. I'm not picky).
If hybrids are ever going to be mainstream, they'll need mainstream prices.
hard to argue against your logic, indigo.
and I do admit to being a bit of a hybrid snob, although part of that is because i live in a very congested area of LA and do most of my driving in such conditions. in such conditions, a full hybrid offers more.
still, consumers are really simple. they want to spend as little as possible but get as much as possible, at least perceptually.
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