Theres no question that the “Going Green” phenomenon has picked up speed in recent years, but has the green trend carried over to motorized vehicles? Using the premier online research tool, HighBeam Research (www.highbeam.com), the media attention of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and sports utility vehicles was monitored over the past five years to determine which type of automobile is winning the media race.
Back in 2007, SUVs were in the lead with 43 percent while electric vehicles took second with 34 percent of media attention. Electric vehicles began to pick up speed with 37 percent in 2008, and overtook first place in 2009 with 47 percent. Meanwhile SUVs began to trail, decreasing to 39 percent in 2008 and 24 percent in 2009. Mentions of hybrid vehicles have remained steady throughout the course of the five years, going from third place with 23 percent in 2007 to second with 27 percent in 2011. Currently, electric vehicles take the crown with 61 percent of media mentions, nearly five times SUVs 2011 finish of 12 percent.
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
Electric |
61% |
47% |
47% |
37% |
34% |
Hybrid |
27% |
27% |
29% |
24% |
23% |
SUV |
12% |
26% |
24% |
39% |
43% |
HighBeam Research is an innovative, online research tool built to provide immediate access to a wealth of credible, published information sources. With 50,000 new articles added each day, users are able to easily sift through over 80 million credible documents from more than 6,500 publications, including journals, magazines, newspapers, and transcripts.