Increased education on alternatively fuelled vehicles is urgently needed across the fleet and leasing industry according to CLM Fleet Management as its research reveals drivers’ knowledge of the different types of AFVs is “woefully lacking”.

CLM says its research shows a need for greater driver education on the different types of AFVs.

A study of 100 motorists carried out by the firm found that although some 82% of respondents had heard of hybrid electric vehicles and 72% had heard of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, only 61% had heard of battery-electric vehicles and just 28% knew of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Respondents were also asked to match the various types of low emission vehicles against definitions of how they operated. Although 66% were able to correctly match the definition for battery electric vehicles, only 38% could do so for hybrid electric vehicles, 28% matched the definition of fuel cell electric vehicles and just 24% successfully identified a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

Some 33% said that they were likely to consider a hybrid electric vehicle as their next car; 27% said they would consider a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; while just 22% said they were likely to consider a battery electric vehicle.

Meanwhile 68% of respondents said they were unlikely to choose a diesel as their next car.

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