Survey shows Americans want more fuel efficiency

[M_Smith]

Survey shows Americans want more fuel efficiency
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A new survey by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) shows Americans remain steadfast in some automotive convictions, despite changes to gasoline prices and the economy. Even though the national average for gasoline is under $2 a gallon, gas prices are a concern for 76 percent of respondents, down from 85 percent when the same questions were fielded in April 2008 and gasoline averaged about $3.50. And with that concern comes a desire for more fuel-efficient vehicles.
From the seventh survey in an ongoing series, CFA respondents are quite consistent with their view of Middle East oil dependency, with it being a concern for 76 percent in the last two surveys. Likewise, global warming was a persistent concern at 55 percent this year and 52 percent last year.
With fuel economy proposals being in the news lately (read ?Obama puts greenhouse gases on the front burner?), it was interesting to see that when asked what the likely gas mileage for their next vehicle would be, the average response was 29 mpg. Last April, the average response was 30 mpg, showing a clear focus on what the 1,000 polled consumers feel should be the new norm.
The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard for cars is a 27.5 mpg average. And the reality is, precious few vehicles can claim 30 mpg or more overall in real world driving. Using our interactive New Car Selector tool, I see only six current vehicles that we have tested meet demands from these survey respondents. Of course, what people say and what they do can be two different things.
In terms of their actual behavior, 44 percent of survey participants are driving about the same as a year ago, with 15 percent driving more and 37 percent driving less. Sadly, the economy is no doubt shaping this behavior, as fewer people go shopping and even to work.
The ultimate take away is that the American public wants more fuel-efficient vehicles for multiple reasons. Whether they will rush out and buy such models remains an open question, one the imminent launch of the new high-mileage Honda Insight and Toyota Prius should answer.
?Jeff Bartlett*

Read what people said this past summer in ?Gas prices survey shows pain at the pump hurts at home.?
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