60% of people surveyed would buy a hybrid today.

A recent study by Synovate, a marketing research company, polled 13,500 urban people around the world. The study looked at how preferences for hybrid cars and general eco-mindedness differed around the globe.

One of the most surprising findings was that six out of ten individuals would buy a hybrid or fuel-efficient car – even if price was no object. This is great news for automakers, who committed to green ideas several years ago. This suggestion that green has finally become a priority for many in the world is a huge step forward toward a cleaner planet. With limitless money, more and more would still choose an environmentally friendly hybrid car over a sporty sedan.

Of course, fewer and fewer people even need to make that choice as car manufacturers from Berlin to Bogotá work to strike a balance between a sporty, standard car look and some serious green power under the hood.

The study also showed that many people are planning to increase their use of public transport, bikes and walking. Nearly one-third of the individuals surveyed planned on lessening their reliance on standard-fuel vehicles in 2009. “More and more, owning a car may not be viewed as responsible,” says Scott Miller, CEO of Synovate Motoresearch. “But car makers are producing more and more options that will appeal to this fast-growing group of green-inclined people.”

However, this green wave is stronger in other countries than in the U.S. Nearly 70% of Chinese people included in this survey showed a strong preference for hybrid vehicles, while only 42% of Americans showed that same strong preference. Germany boasted the highest number of people looking to buy hybrid cars, trucks and SUVs.

In the United States, hybrid vehicles now account for about 3% of all cars sold, and that number continues to rise each year. Last month in Japan, fast becoming the world’s largest market for hybrids, they accounted for a whopping 8% of all vehicle sales (in part due to tax incentives and higher gas prices).

The study shows that there is a future in well-built hybrid vehicles that transcend the “hybrid look” and appeal to both customers interested in style and performance, as well as customers who want to save the Earth.

Get ready for green to be the most popular color for new car buyers.