US consumers looking for ways to reduce their expenditure and save money as they struggle with debt are considering hybrid cars as a cheaper alternative to gasoline-fuelled vehicles, a new study shows.

According to Harris Interactive's AutoTechcast report, 15 per cent of motorists in the US are very likely or extremely like to purchase a plug-in hybrid in the future, Environmental Leader reports.

A similar study carried out in Europe revealed that the proportion of European drivers who anticipate buying a hybrid vehicle is also 15 per cent.

But US consumers believe they will have to charge their cars for longer, with 56 per cent expecting to plug in their vehicle at least once a day, compared to just 30 per cent of those in Europe.

Recent research by the International Energy Agency also revealed that US citizens are turning their backs on larger sports utility vehicles in favor of smaller, more environmentally-friendly cars in an effort to save money, AFP reports.

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