Only one in eleven AA members buying a car in the next three years would consider going electric or hybrid, according to an AA-Populus poll responded to by 27, 662 members.

Of those considering changing their car in the next three years (23,067) the choices were:

• 50% petrol;

• 28% diesel;

• 8% hybrid;

• 1% electric; and

• 13% don’t know.

The poll follows one at the turn of the year last year which showed members’ top considerations for their next car were reliability (rated as important by 99% of AA members), safety (95%), comfort (85%) and running costs (84%) . Only 55% considered environmental sensitivity important.

AA president Edmund King said: “Despite the diesel emissions scandal 28% of drivers are still considering this option which is remarkably close to the 30% who said the same in December 2014 and 29% in May 2015. However, the petrol engine remains the top choice for AA member’s next car and this is understandable given the increasingly frugal fuel economy now on offer in many models.

“Diesel tends to be a more popular option with high mileage drivers, but as the average UK car mileage is now running at around 7,000 per annum it is not surprising that petrol tops the poll. When it comes to electric cars the jury remain out on this one – again hardly surprising given the high up-front cost and range-anxiety being an issue for some.

Potential hybrid purchasers may be in for a big shock post April 2017 when a new car tax system for new cars comes into play. After that date only pure electrics will benefit for zero annual car tax. All other cars will face a £140 annual car tax bill and cars costing over £40,000 will face a £310 per annum surcharge too.”

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