Demand for Hybrid Car in Malaysia
A hybrid car is actually a car that runs in two fuel sources. Differentiation a hybrid car from a conventional car is that a hybrid car contains two engines which are traditional gasoline engine and an electric motor and batteries. The concept of the two engines is the car uses a traditional gasoline engine, as well as electricity derived from special batteries to drive the car. The batteries of the hybrid car do not need to be plugged in to recharge like an electric car. As it will charged while the car running or while the car is braking. The two engines are work together to cut down fuel consumption. It is able to cut down the fuel usage by more than half with using this technology.
However, hybrid cars have only been in Malaysia market for a very short period of time. Hybrid cars are not so popular in current stage, but are in a growing trends and beginning to expand. Since the fuel price is keep rising and it is no doubt that heightened awareness of hybrid cars among consumers and therefore people will try to find some alternatives fuel sources and have more interest toward hybrid cars. The reasons that consumers consider to buy hybrid car are mainly due to it is the most fuel-efficient car in the market and it is environment friendly. Hybrid technology is considered as a promising technology by the National Energy Policy Report (2001) due to its improved fuel economy and reduced emissions; it can summarize that demand for hybrid cars should be increased to achieve economies of scale, thus bringing the cost of hybrid cars down (Arie Beresream & Shanjun Li). As hybrids are a small but growing component of the vehicle fleet, and may be an important component of a national strategy to deal with climate or energy security, it is vital to know what influences consumers decisions to buy hybrids rather than conventional cars (Garth Heutel & Erich Muehlegger, 2010)