The results come from the European Investment Bank (EIB) Climate Survey 2021-2022, which focuses on the individual behaviour of citizens and the measures they are taking to combat climate change.

According to the EIB, “84 percent of car buyers in Portugal expressed their intention to opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle in their next purchase (17 percentage points above the European average), while 16 percent continue to prefer a petrol or electric vehicle to diesel”.

Regarding electric vehicles, buyers in Portugal showed more interest, in their next purchase, than citizens of any other EU country. For example, in Spain only 34 percent of respondents admitted to choosing an electric vehicle, in Italy 27 percent and in Germany only 23 percent.

Going green

Regarding other topics, 71 percent of respondents in Portugal said they take climate change into account when choosing a holiday destination, 55 percent of Portuguese young people said they take climate change into account when looking for a job and 40 percent of Portuguese young people already buy second hand clothes instead of new clothes.

Overall, 84 percent of Portuguese said they believe they are doing everything in their power to fight climate change in their daily lives, but the majority believe that their compatriots are not doing the same.

More than 30,000 people participated in the survey conducted between 26 August and 22 September 2021, with a representative panel from each of the 30 countries covered by the survey.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's long-term financing institution whose shareholders are the EU Member States.