British singletons find electric vehicle owners 'sexier' than gas-guzzling drivers, according to a Tinder experiment - with profiles featuring green motors more than twice as likely to bag a date. More than a third (36%) of Brits said they'd be more likely to consider dating someone if they owned or drove an electric car.
The research, conducted by Big Motoring World, quizzed 2,000 Brits about what gets them hot under the collar, while they also conducted a social experiment to test their theories on Tinder. It appears that flashing your green credentials is a big way to woo the partner of your dreams.
Almost half (43%) of Brits admitted they'd be more inclined to date someone if they were passionate about stopping climate change. Belfast emerged as the place where single electric car owners might find it easiest to bag a date, with almost two-thirds of people (60%) reporting that they'd be more likely to date someone with an EV.
London, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester also came out as prime locations for climate-conscious singletons. Boffins from the car dealer decided to put the stats into the driving seat and see if featuring an EV revved up any extra interest from those looking for love.
They set up to almost-identical Tinder profiles for 26-year-old Jay from London. One profile featured Jay behind the wheel of a brand-new Tesla, while the other account didn't - each racking up 500 swipes.
The profile featuring the EV matched with 61 singletons, compared to just 25 on the regular profile - meaning posing with the Tesla increased Jay's matches by a whopping 144%. However, it's unclear whether the status symbol of the vehicle, the cheapest of which retails for £45,000, or the fact it's an EV was the reason people swiped right.
One user even confessed that she associates Teslas with success as they 'dont' come cheap'. Big Motoring World contacted some of the accounts that matched with Jay and, under the provision of anonymity, one woman admitted the thought of hooking up with a Tesla owner was particularly appealing.
The 24-year-old woman said: "I've got to be honest and say that the sight of a shiny Tesla was a massive turn on for me. They don't come cheap and it showed me that he must be a really successful guy.
"As well as the car being electric, his bio said that he was passionate about climate change, there's something really sexy about someone who believes in important issues. It's a shame the profile isn't real – I'd have definitely gone on a date with him."
Any budding romantic looking to use an EV to make their mark need to be quick if they want to stand out from the crowd, as Google search data shows that electric cars are currently very 'in'. More than 85,000 people in the UK searched for 'electric car' in January 2023 alone, with tens of thousands of Brits in the market for a more climate-conscious new motor.
In comparison, just 39,000 people searched for 'electric car' in January 2019, a rise of 117% in the space of four years. Marketing Director of Big Motoring World Darren Miller said: "I think I can speak for everyone when I say how surprising the results are.
"Maybe a few more singletons will be joining the cause and becoming a fully-fledged 'eco warrior' now that they know there is the chance of getting a date. In all seriousness though, the data shows how rapidly electric vehicles are gaining in popularity.
"The Google search data in particular is a real indicator of the interest that consumers have in exploring green options. The priority for the UK now is to upscale the availability of charging points up and down the country and ensure every Brit is able to use their EV as conveniently as a petrol-powered vehicle."
For more information, visit https://www.bigmotoringworld.co.uk/news/electric-vehicles-are-a-hit-in-our-tinder-test
