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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #325: June 21, 2004
Diesel and Hybrid Vehicle Preferences

Seven percent of survey respondents in a nationwide survey indicated that they would definitely buy a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) as their next household vehicle. A diesel vehicle is definite as the next vehicle purchase for 4% of respondents. However, diesels and HEVs have a way to go before they become mainstream vehicle choices — 40% of respondents indicated they would definitely not buy a diesel vehicle, and 22% indicated they would definitely not buy a hybrid vehicle.

Likelihood of Buying a Diesel or HEV
Graph showing share of respondents that were likely to purchase a HEV or diesel vehicle as their next household vehicle.

Supporting Information

When you purchase your next household vehicle, how likely are you to buy each of the following: A diesel vehicle? A hybrid electric vehicle?
  HEV Diesel
Definitely Will Buy 7% 4%
Very Likely to Buy 8% 4%
Likely to Buy 29% 14%
Not Likely to Buy 34% 38%
Definitely Won't Buy 22% 40%
Total 100% 100%

Source: Nationwide random phone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, May 20–23, 2004 (N = 1036).

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