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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #416: March 20, 2006
Consumer Views on Gasoline Taxes

A New York Times poll conducted last month asked consumers their views on gasoline taxes. Consumer support for a gasoline tax largely depended on the result it could have. The questions were:

  • Would you favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
  • What if your payroll taxes or income taxes were reduced as a result of the increased gasoline tax, then would you favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
  • What if the increased tax on gasoline would reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil, then would you favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
  • What if the increase tax on gasoline would cut down on energy consumption and reduce global warming, then would you favor or oppose an increase Federal tax on gasoline?
  • What if the increased tax were $2.00 per gallon, then would you be in favor or oppose an increased Federal tax on gasoline?
Conditions for Favoring a Gasoline Tax
Graph showing results to survey when respondents were asked under what circumstances they would favor a gas tax. Conditions for favoring a gas tax included: (1) income tax reduction, (2) oil dependence lessened, (3) global warming reduced, (4) $2.00/gal tax on gasoline.

Supporting Information

Conditions for Favoring a Gasoline Tax
  Share of Respondents
that Favored
Favor gas tax? 12%
Favor if income tax reduced? 28%
Favor if oil dependence lessened? 55%
Favor if global warming reduced? 59%
Favor if tax is $2.00/gal? 17%

Source: New York Times/CBS News Poll, February 22-26, 2006, N=1018 (PDF 119 KB) Download Adobe Reader.

 

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