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

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #68: September 23, 1998
What Fuel Will Replace Gasoline?

On August 20, 1998, Opinioin Research Corporation International asked a national sample audience (1004adults):

"What fuel will most likely replace gasoline and diesel when they become too expensive to use in cars and trucks?"

The graph below shows that the most common response was electricity.

Graph showing results of survey asking what will most likely replace gasoline and diesel

Supporting Information

What Fuel Will Replace Gasoline?
Fuel Percent of
Respondents
Electricity 33%
Solar 13%
Alcohol 11%
Natural Gas 6%
Hydrogen 3%
Propane 2%
Water 2%
Nuclear 1%

Source: Opinion Research Corporation International, "Gasoline/Diesel Fuel Replacements," Study #707349, August 20, 1998 (prepared for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory).

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