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Hybrid cars to get more popular

Hybrid cars are set to become increasingly popular with consumers over the coming years, according to new research.

A study by ReportBuyer has revealed that hybrid vehicles, those that run on a mixture of regular petrol and electric technology, could account for as much as six per cent of global vehicle sales by 2013.

Currently hybrid vehicles remain prohibitively expensive for the average customer, with any gains to be made through using less petrol negligible in comparison with the original outlay.

However, the prices of such vehicles are expected to become increasingly competitive over the coming years according to Christina Belloge, the lead author of the report.

"Although hybrid cars were predicted to appeal to a niche market of technology savvies and environmentalists, their launch has met with commercial success, thanks to a favourable market environment combining increased consumer awareness, ever rising oil prices, technological improvements and regulatory incentives," she said.

The market is currently dominated by Honda and Toyota, famous for producing the Prius, the world's first commercial hybrid vehicle.

25 Jan 2007