Hybrid car sales on the rise

The fuel-efficient petrol-electric passenger cars started out as market oddities when Honda first brought the Insight to market in 2001. Now they are finding mainstream market.

Private buyers are also now buying them in greater numbers -- June sales figures showed an 84 per cent increase in hybrid sales to private buyers, nearly double the fleet market increase. 

July sales figures to be released tomorrow are tipped to show another marked increase. The segment has increased in size, with an expanded Toyota Prius range going on sale earlier this year, as well as the arrival of the Australian-assembled Camry Hybrid.

Honda has expanded its hybrid range from one there-door two-seater in 2001 to the CR-Z sports coupe and the Insight hatchback and Civic sedan. Toyota's luxury arm Lexus has four hybrid models on sale in Australia and BMW has 3 and 5 Series hybrid models in its short-term Australian future.

Range-extender vehicles from Holden and Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti will further expand the choices for green motoring when they go on sale in the next few months. Glass's Guide managing director Santo Amoddio believes hybrid sales figures for the first six months show the green cars are on private buyers' shopping lists.

"In the fleet market they sell two to one compared to the private market, but I think the private buyer market is growing in awareness of hybrids and the reliability of them,'' he said. Amoddio believes the asking price reduction and the spectre of rising petrol prices will only increase the hybrid segment's sales.

"Toyota has done a good job re-pricing the hybrids, particularly the Camry and the new Prius model range, which has made the more attractive to private buyers,'' he said. Sales of Toyota's hybrid vehicles globally passed four million earlier this year; in Australia, more than 40,000 Toyota and Lexus hybrids have been retailed since 2001.

Last year there were 8820 hybrid sold - only 2212 went to private buyers; to the end of June 2012 there were already 1950 petrol-electric hybrids sitting in private driveways and garages. Aside from reduced running costs, some insurance companies are offering reduced premiums for low-emission cars - such as hybrids - that produce less than 150g of carbon per kilometre

The RAC in Western Australia is offering up to 25 per cent off comprehensive motor insurance, a reduction in interest of up to 2.5 per cent on a car loan and a free upgrade to the next level of roadside assistance for cars emitting 150 grams of CO2/km or less. The WA motoring group said there are than 360 current models meet this criterion.

The NRMA offers a 10 percent discount on comprehensive premiums for vehicles using less than 5.5 litres per 100km, while Victorian hybrid owners get a $100 discount on their registration.