Caravan Insurance

The majority of British drivers have little understanding of hybrid cars, with 41 per cent unaware that the term refers to a car that uses both petrol and electricity as a power source.

Some responses to the basic question included a car that could switch between fuels, one that needed to be plugged in, and incredibly, two cars that are welded together to create one.

Launching its new Civic Hybrid model, Honda decided to find out how much the British public knew about hybrid cars and their benefits, but 51 per cent of 1,200 motorists were not even aware they existed.

Asked if these more eco-friendly vehicles tempted them, thrifty drivers cited cost as the main factor behind any decision, with 34 per cent saying they would consider switching if petrol continued to become more expensive.

However, the same number rejected hybrids outright, branding them "too expensive".

The majority (65 per cent) were unaware that hybrids could actually lead to lower fuel costs, while only two per cent realised they attracted lower road fund tax and no congestion charge when driving in London.

So while a hybrid car might not automatically get you cheaper car insurance, you could use the savings to shop around for the best cheap car insurance deal on the market.

The cheapest car insurance often results from building up your no claims discount, but it is important to be adequately covered and advisable to opt for comprehensive car insurance for maximum security.