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Fact #330: July 26, 2004
Fuel Savings Required to Purchase Fuel Efficient Vehicle

Opinion Research Corporation conducted a nationwide survey asking people about their next vehicle purchase. They asked the following question:

Consider the next vehicle you plan to purchase or lease. Suppose an optional engine was available, just as good in all respects as the engine you are considering buying, but more fuel efficient. If the engine cost $1,200 more, how much would it have to save you EACH YEAR in fuel costs before you would be willing to buy it?

Eighteen percent of respondents said that they would need $500–749 per year fuel savings to purchase the more expensive fuel-efficient vehicle; 19% said that they would need $1,000–1,499 per year fuel savings.

Supporting Information

Required Savings in Fuel Costs to Pay $1,200 Extra to Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle

None	10%
Less than $100	12%
$100-199	5%
$200-299	8%
$300-399	7%
$400-499	8%
$500-749	18%
$750-999	3%
$1,000-1,249	19%
$1,250-1,499	0%
$1,500 or more	10%
Total	100%
Source: Nationwide random phone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, May 20–23, 2004 (N = 520).

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