Spring is finally here and with today being Earth Day, the blooming trees seem to be the only thing on our minds when it comes to thinking green. Despite more manufacturers coming out with more models and options to suit all budgets, eco-friendly cars have not quite taken off in Canada. Search data from AutoTRADER.ca shows that the most popular green cars only accounted for about 0.1% of all searches in the past month.
Given the continued high cost of gas and all the education and marketing to support the need for more fuel efficient vehicles, it is taking the majority of Canadians a long time to get on board with the green car revolution.
“With more options to choose from, gas-powered vehicles are usually cheaper to buy than their hybrid or electric equivalents,” explains Jonathan Yarkony, Senior Editor at autoTRADER.ca. “Conserving fuel or reducing greenhouse gas emissions have to be a top priority in order for people to choose hybrid and electric vehicles.”
The picture isn’t totally bleak however. Research suggests that green, or environmentally friendly vehicles have become increasingly popular with the millennial generation.
In an annual research study by autoTRADER.ca, consumers were asked if they thought they would be driving a hybrid or green car within the next five years. Gen Yers lead the way, with 39% of people between the ages of 17-24 saying that they believed they would.
Manufacturers have put a lot more thought into the design and performance of green vehicles and the results are evident. With cars from Tesla and the BMW i8 on the market, along with significant reductions in price to the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and more trims available in vehicles like the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid, there is sure to be more buzz in the near future.
So, what green cars are the most popular right now?
The top battery electric vehicles in Canada include cars like the Nissan LEAF, Ford Focus Electric and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, while top plug-in hybrid electric vehicles include the Ford C-MAX Energi, Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius Plug-in. According to data pulled from AutoTRADER.ca, the Prius is the most commonly searched environmentally friendly car on the website, followed by the luxury BMW i8.
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