Fact #485: September 3, 2007
Engine Preferences
An August 2007 survey asked:
Assume that a HYBRID vehicle and a clean DIESEL vehicle both would cost $3,000 more than a comparable GASOLINE vehicle and both would reduce your annual fuel use by 30%. Which of the following would you choose for your NEXT NEW vehicle purchase? (Choices were gasoline, diesel, or hybrid)
Only 12% of all respondents indicated that they would purchase a diesel vehicle under these conditions. Over half of the respondents said they would choose a hybrid vehicle for their next new vehicle purchase. Over 60% of those with a college education would choose a hybrid vehicle.
Choice of Vehicle Given the Above Scenario
Supporting Information
| Vehicle Choice |
All Respondents | Respondents That Were College Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 52% | 61% |
| Gasoline | 33% | 26% |
| Diesel | 12% | 10% |
| Don't Know | 4% | 3% |
| Total | 100% | 100% |
|
Source: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #716328, August 9, 2007, N=1010. | ||
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