Toyota in Ireland has confirmed significant growth in its hybrid car sales for 2016 compared to 2015. There has been a recognisable shift in consumer interest towards choosing alternatives to diesel, supported by a major marketing campaign.

With sales of electric vehicles down 15% in 2016, the limited distance which users can travel is not an issue for hybrid drivers. Toyota claims that the combination of both a petrol and electric motor means you never have to plug it in.

So far this year, Toyota has sold 1,724 hybrid vehicles compared to 758 last year, a 140% increase. This means that almost 13% of total Toyota sales are now hybrid.

Hybrid is available in six Toyota models including the Yaris, Auris, Prius and the RAV4. The new five-door Toyota C-HR crossover launching in November will also be available as a hybrid and is expected to further increase Toyota’s hybrid sales mix in 2017.

Sales from July show that 28% of Auris and 23.3% of Yaris models sold were hybrid, confirming a transition towards consumers buying hybrid. Year to date, 22% of Auris, 20% of Yaris and 10% of all RAV4 sales are now hybrid.

Fuel efficiency

During the past year, Toyota has encouraged drivers to experience the benefits that hybrid provides over diesel-powered vehicles. Toyota claims the benefits of driving hybrid include up to 40% better fuel efficiency, 30% less maintenance costs, greater affordability and environmentally friendly.

Michael Gaynor, marketing director at Toyota Ireland, said: “As consumers continue to seek alternatives to diesel, we are noticing a significant awareness and interest in hybrid, which is reflected in the sales this year. The latest figures prove the fact that more Irish consumers are interested in hybrid technology.”

Toyota claims that the hybrid system has the unique ability to recycle energy other cars waste. Drivers benefit from fuel economy of up to 94mpg, providing up to 40% better fuel efficiency than an equivalent diesel engine.

Toyota claims that hybrids offer up to 30% lower maintenance costs. They say that hybrid owners will enjoy up to 30% less maintenance costs when compared to a non-hybrid vehicle, due to a variety of reasons including the fact that hybrids don’t have a clutch and have less wear and tear on items like brake discs and tyres.

Toyota claims that the hybrids are more affordable than people think, with prices starting from €14,995 or €145 a month.

Combining a petrol engine and an electric motor means that Toyota hybrids emit from just 70g/km, which is low for a family car, according to Toyota. In addition, Toyota hybrid emits much less NOX pollution and particulate matter, giving better air quality.

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