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

Vehicle Technologies Program

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
Graph showing results from an August 2007 survey when respondents were asked what type of car: gasoline, diesel, or hybird they would choose for their next car. Over half of the respondents indicated they would purchase a hybrid. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Supporting Information

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?
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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