Home.bt.com: Two thirds of British drivers aspire to own an ultra-low-emission vehicle to win a moral victory over friends and neighbours, according to a new government-backed study.
The Go Ultra Low survey found that 67% of those questioned wanted to own high-tech electric and hybrid vehicles to score "social points" in the faces of their peers.
And it is people with the surname Jones who are among the guiltiest when it comes to "keeping up with the Joneses".
As many as 77% of Joneses admitted to wanting an ultra-low-emission vehicle (ULEV) for the sake of social one-upmanship compared with the national 67% average.
And 88% of Joneses think that the potentially huge running cost savings on offer from ULEVs is a "compelling" reason to buy.
Three quarters of drivers in the study said running costs were at the top of their list of priorities for choosing their next car.
Hetal Shah, head of Go Ultra Low, said: "Our research shows that, after purchase price, the top things motorists look for in a new car are affordable running costs, comfort, space and style.
"The huge variety of electric vehicles now on the market is changing motorists' concept of desirability, with the majority of consumers surveyed aspiring to the new breed of quiet, refined, technology-packed plug-in vehicles.
"We're confident that this year alone we'll see thousands more motorists up and down Britain plugging-in to this growing trend."
The Go Ultra Low survey found that 67% of those questioned wanted to own high-tech electric and hybrid vehicles to score "social points" in the faces of their peers.
And it is people with the surname Jones who are among the guiltiest when it comes to "keeping up with the Joneses".
As many as 77% of Joneses admitted to wanting an ultra-low-emission vehicle (ULEV) for the sake of social one-upmanship compared with the national 67% average.
And 88% of Joneses think that the potentially huge running cost savings on offer from ULEVs is a "compelling" reason to buy.
Three quarters of drivers in the study said running costs were at the top of their list of priorities for choosing their next car.
Hetal Shah, head of Go Ultra Low, said: "Our research shows that, after purchase price, the top things motorists look for in a new car are affordable running costs, comfort, space and style.
"The huge variety of electric vehicles now on the market is changing motorists' concept of desirability, with the majority of consumers surveyed aspiring to the new breed of quiet, refined, technology-packed plug-in vehicles.
"We're confident that this year alone we'll see thousands more motorists up and down Britain plugging-in to this growing trend."
