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Europeans Dig Fuel Efficiency, Nix Hybrids

A new Harris Interactive study of European car owners (cited in a previous post) is noteworthy not only for showing fuel cell technology gaining EU mindshare, but also for underscoring Europeans’ lukewarm response to gas-electric hybrid drivetrains. For the second year running, high fuel prices and unstable oil producers have put "enhanced fuel economy" at […]

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A new Harris Interactive study of European car owners (cited in a previous post) is noteworthy not only for showing fuel cell technology gaining EU mindshare, but also for underscoring Europeans' lukewarm response to gas-electric hybrid drivetrains. For the second year running, high fuel prices and unstable oil producers have put "enhanced fuel economy" at the top of the list of sought-after car technologies. But unlike Americans, for whom the Prius is the icon of eco-friendly fuel efficiency, Europeans don't see gas-electric hybrids as much of a solution:

The current volume of diesel vehicles already in the European market and their inherent higher fuel economy has a direct impact on consumers' lack of interest in gasoline-based hybrid technologies that are increasing in popularity in the United States. Consumers are more likely to consider fuel-cell based vehicles rather than hybrid powertrains.

Conversely (and despite the imprecations of Dr. Z), most Americans who think about it at all think "clean diesel" is an oxymoron — probably because in the U.S., it has been.

Other Harris Interactive stats and analysis after the flip.

Other emerging automotive technologies gaining cred with EU consumers:

  • High-performance halogen and xenon lighting

  • Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting

  • Parking assist and object detection

  • Rain sensor and automatic wipers

  • Intelligent navigation systems

Upham commented:

Globally, halogen and xenon lighting and intelligent navigation systems technologies are achieving high levels of acceptance with consumers due to their high-performance features and declining market prices. ... In high-traffic metropolitan areas like Paris, London, Madrid, Rome, and Frankfurt, intelligent navigation systems and park assist and object detection technologies are in high demand.

In other words, they work great, they're getting cheaper all the time, and they can keep you from getting lost and/or demolishing your car ... just like in Duluth.

More data fluff for people with time to kill and a spouse or co-worker to annoy:

  • The Spanish (47%) care more about air conditioning than the British (20%) and the French (25%) combined.

  • Same goes for rollover control and protection: 53% of Spaniards are likely buyers, versus 20% each for the UK, France, and Germany.

  • Spaniards and Italians report strong interest in occupant sensing systems and inflatable seatbelts.

[Source: Harris Interactive AutoTECHCAST Europe]