U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #275: July 7, 2003
Safety Ranks as Top Concern for New Fuels

A Harris Interactive Poll conducted in April 2003 found that Americans ranked fuel safety, fuel cost, and vehicle range as the top three considerations in deciding to try a new vehicle fuel.

Respondents were asked the question: "When deciding whether or not you will use a new fuel technology, how important are each of the following factors? Is (item) extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?"

Respondents answering "extremely important" or "very important" are shown in the graph.

Graph: Respondents answering extremely important or very important

Supporting Information

Factors considered extremely important or very important
in influencing decisions to try a new fuel technology
Factor Share of Respondents
How safe the fuel is for drivers and passengers 83%
The cost of the fuel 78%
How far you can drive before refueling 75%
The cost of the vehicles 72%
The convenience of refueling 67%
Environmental emissions 67%
Whether the fuel source is domestic instead of foreign 47%
How the new fuel system affects passenger/cargo space 45%
Whether or not the fuel can be recycled 45%

Note: Millennium Cell, Inc. and U.S. Borax, Inc. sponsored this nationally representative sample of 1,006 Americans age 18 or older interviewed from April 17 to April 20, 2003. Margin of error +/- 3%.

Source: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 2003 Conference and Trade Show, "Consumer Demand as a Driver for New Technology," presented by Stephen S. Tang, Millennium Cell, Inc.

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