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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #379: July 4, 2005
Importance of Fuel Economy When Purchasing a Vehicle

Over the period of 1980 to 2005, eleven surveys have been conducted asking respondents "which attribute would be most important to you in your choice of your next vehicle?" The share of respondents answering that fuel economy was the most important attribute is shown in the bars on the graph below. The fuel price (in constant 2004 dollars) is represented by the line on the graph. When gasoline prices are high, more people think fuel economy is important than when gasoline prices are low. However, in 2005 only 11% of respondents thought fuel economy was most important despite an average gasoline price over two dollars per gallon.

Fuel Economy Importance and Gasoline Prices
Graph showing the results of eleven surveys taken from 1980 to 2005 showing the share of respondents that indicated fuel economy was the most important consideration when purchasing a vehicle and fuel prices at the time the surveys were taken.

Supporting Information

Fuel Economy Importance and Gasoline Prices
Year Fuel Economy Most Important (share of respondents) Gasoline Price (constant 2004 dollars)
1980 42% 2.80
1981 20% 2.81
1983 13% 2.32
1985 8% 2.10
1987 4% 1.59
1996 7% 1.57
1998 4% 1.29
2000 11% 1.80
2001 11% 1.85
2004 22% 1.88
2005 12% 2.08

Source:
Gasoline Prices – Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, May 2005, Table 9.4. Average annual gasoline price was used for 1980–1987; monthly gasoline price for the month prior to the survey date was used for 1996–2005.

Surveys on Fuel Economy Importance:
For 1980–1987: J. D. Power (data based on new car buyers)

For 1996: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #70550, December 12, 1996

For 1998: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #707089, February 19–22, 1998, N = 1,019

For 2000: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #709318, August 3–6, 2000, N = 1,013

For 2001: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #710288, July 12, 2001, N = 1,004

For 2004: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #713228, May 27, 2004, N = 949

For 2005: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #714209, May 20, 2005, N = 1012

 

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