Approximately two thirds (67%) of middle class drivers said they would consider buying a plug-in vehicle as their next car in a survey by the joint industry and government funded Go Ultra Low (GUL) campaign.
However middle class people with the surname Jones were more likely to consider the switch, according to GUL, with the number of Joneses considering a plugin car at 77%.
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According to the GUI, three quarters of motorists said running costs were the biggest consideration when choosing their next vehicle.
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 survey included 200 people with the last name Jones who were defined by the NRS Social Grade as middle class, and a further 1,000 middle class people with other names as a benchmark.
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By GlobalDataOther findings included that people named Jones were almost twice as likely to drink prosecco in bars and pubs (14% vs 8%) and a third more likely to play team sports (15% vs 10%).
Alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFV) have grown fast in the UK market over the past year. According to Society of Moor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, AFV market share grew from 1.8% in May 2014 to 2.5% in May 2015.
