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Over half Victorian motorists no longer consider petrol combustion engines in next purchase, Australia

More than half of the 15, 047 Victorian motorists who participated in EastLink’s first annual self-driving vehicle survey are no longer considering a traditional petrol combustion engine for their next car purchase. The findings come as toll route operator announced the overall results from the survey. EastLink’s survey, with the support from the Australian Road Research Board, was conducted online over a 4-week period for motorists between 11 September and 8 October.
October 9, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
More than half of the 15, 047 Victorian motorists who participated in EastLink’s first annual self-driving vehicle survey are no longer considering a traditional petrol combustion engine for their next car purchase. The findings come as toll route operator announced the overall results from the survey.

EastLink’s survey, with the support from the Australian Road Research Board, was conducted online over a 4-week period for motorists between 11 September and 8 October.

The findings revealed that 34% of respondents are now considering hybrid power as an option for their next car; while a quarter are considering the 100% battery electric vehicle option. Meanwhile, 6% of male and 21% of female respondents said they had no knowledge of self-driving cars (SDC); while 28% of male and 54% of female respondents stated that they had very little knowledge.  In addition, half of the respondents want lane keeping assistance (highway autopilot) in their next car.

The survey also found 62% of male and 54% of female respondents want their next car to receive traffic warnings; 63% male and 58% female respondents want road condition warnings. Nearly three quarters, 70%, of male and 62% of female respondents want vehicle security; over half of both male and female respondents want automatic emergency assistance. Finally, 38% of male and 41% of female respondents want entertainment such as online music, podcasts, spoken books.

Doug Spencer-Roy, EasLink spokesperson said, “EastLink’s survey shows that a majority of respondents want their next car to be connected to a data network to receive traffic and road condition warnings, vehicle security and automatic emergency assistance. With assistance from road operators, telecommunication providers and others, car manufacturers can deliver useful services to improve road safety and help motorists navigate congestion better.”

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