Germans less enthusiastic about electric cars than other Europeans - survey

Only 52 percent of Germans say they would consider purchasing a hybrid or electric car – a figure 15 percentage points behind the European average. According to the European Investment Bank's (EIB) Climate Change Survey, which measures what people are doing individually to lower their carbon footprints, 49 percent of people in the country said they would prefer to buy a petrol or diesel car instead of switching to new technologies. Across Europe, 39 percent of potential car buyers prefer a hybrid model and 28 percent a fully electric car. Thirty-three percent would rather buy a petrol or diesel car.

The survey also found that 74 percent of Germans believe they are doing everything they can to combat climate change, with 67 percent taking climate into account when choosing a holiday destination and 55 percent of under-30s buying second-hand clothes. However, the majority also said they feel their fellow countrymen do not do enough to lower their carbon footprint.