Motorists aged between 18 and 36 are “most likely” to buy an autonomous car, but cannot correctly define what autonomous means, according to research.

Avis Budget Group surveyed 14,000 people in 14 countries across Europe and found a significant knowledge gap in consumer understanding.

Respondents were asked to select the correct definition of the term ‘autonomous vehicle’

While more than half (56%) of those surveyed correctly identified the term to mean ‘a car which drives itself’, while 24% could not define it correctly.

Avis Budget Group’s president of international, Mark Servodidio, said: “It’s clear as an industry we need to educate consumers across markets and age groups, highlighting the innovations and technological advances that have been made – which have helped make developments that were once only seen in science fiction, a reality.”

The lowest understanding of the term was found to be among the 18-23 (47%) and 24-36 (51%) age groups, compared to 67% for those aged 66-plus, despite younger age groups being the most likely to prefer an autonomous car over the one they currently own.

However, the highest propensity to choose an autonomous car was found among those aged 24-36 (49%) and 18-23 (47%) compared to just 26% of the 66-plus age group.

Importantly, 3 in 5 (60%) of Brits surveyed said they would prefer to drive their own car than use an autonomous vehicle.