While the political debates in Brussels about the future of mobility continue to flow from one extreme to another, the real buyer on the road has already made his choice. The tenth edition of the annual study “Energy Barometer“, conducted by the authoritative French publication L'argus in partnership with leboncoin, paints a clear picture: hybrid technology not only dominates, but is establishing itself as the “golden mean“ for the modern driver.
A full 35% of the more than 3,400 consumers surveyed said that their next car will be a hybrid. The interesting thing here is that the magic of “self-charging“ (HEV) – the technology popularized by pioneers such as Toyota – remains the absolute favorite with a 55% share in its category. Consumers clearly prefer the peace of mind of reliable mechanics to the higher price and the commitment to always be plugged in, typical of Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV), which garner only 21% of sympathy.
For the first time in the history of the survey, however, we are witnessing two paradoxical turns
The first is the triumph of electric vehicles (EVs) in the new car market, where they now occupy second place with 32%, overtaking classic gasoline and diesel. The second turn, however, is even more curious: in the used car market, diesel is experiencing a kind of renaissance. Despite years of “demonization“, diesel engines have once again overtaken gasoline in the intention to purchase “second-hand” (28% vs. 24%).
The profile of the respondents - with an average age of 65 and an annual mileage of around 15,300 km - suggests that experienced drivers are looking for predictability. Hybrids are the only drivetrain that unites those who drive little and those who do not get out of the car. While for city travelers, electric is the logical second choice, for long-distance "marathoners" diesel remains an indispensable ally right after hybrids.
The conclusion from the barometer is clear - the European market is more fragmented than ever. The emergence of new players and alternative fuels such as hydrogen and LPG only reinforces the feeling that the era of the "only right solution" is over. Today, the buyer votes with their wallet for flexibility, and the hybrid is the one that most skillfully balances environmental ambitions and harsh economic reality.