Data released by Carwow has revealed that 83% of motorists feel hybrid and EVs are overpriced.

A poll of 2,000 motorists suggests that 41% cannot afford a new car and believe clean, green cars are too expensive, while 64% of diesel owners have no intention of giving up their car without a scrappage scheme avilable for older models.

When asked about a diesel scrappage scheme by Carwow, more than 50% of UK drivers said that they wouldn’t consider anything less than £3,000 compensation to consider a move away from diesel. One-in-six would be looking for a minimum of £7,000.

Meanwhile, 24% believe that a diesel tax will never actually come into effect and 70% of those surveyed were unaware of current government schemes to help with affordability.

Drivers in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast and Aberystwyth were least likely to switch without a financial benefit whilst drivers in London, Oxford and Coventry were most open to going green regardless of any financial saving.

Carwow’s head of sales operations Karen Hilton (pictured) said:  “Motorists see the recent demonising of diesel as a knee-jerk reaction from government. Without sufficient incentive to switch, people are sensibly sitting tight.

“The reality for most is that ditching a diesel car is not financially viable and depending on what kind of journeys you undertake, a diesel may still be a cheaper car to run.

“Advances in technology mean that modern diesel cars are cleaner than ever, so pressure on motorists to abandon diesel is misguided.

“The industry can do more, and is working to improve technologies all the time, but no matter how much people care about driving the cleanest possible car, budgets will always be the deciding factor.”