U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Program
Fact #417: March 27, 2006
Why Purchase a Hybrid Vehicle?
The website HybridCARS.com conducted a survey in 2005 asking hybrid vehicle owners for the reasons they purchased their cars. Similar questions were asked in late 2002/early 2003 by the Oregon Environmental Council. Respondents were allowed to give more than one reason for their purchase. Both surveys found that saving money on gasoline was most often the reason the buyer purchased a hybrid vehicle, followed by air pollution concerns, the appeal of the technology, and reducing dependence on foreign oil, respectively.
Reasons for Purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle 
Supporting Information
Reasons for Purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle
| |
2005 Survey |
2003 Survey |
| Save money on gasoline |
74% |
89% |
| Pollute the air less* |
71% |
77% |
| Appealing technology |
68% |
73% |
| Reduce foreign oil dependence |
64% |
71% |
|
* The Oregon 2003 survey used the phrase "Emit less climate-changing CO2" instead of "Pollute the air less."
Source: HybridCARS.com Hybrid Drivers Surveys, 2003 Oregon survey, N=596. 2005 HybridCARS.com survey, N=532. |
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