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

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #508: March 3, 2008
What Consumers Will Do to Save Three Cents per Gallon

According to the 2008 Consumer Fuels Report by the National Association of Convenience Stores, consumers are very cost-conscious about differences in fuel prices. Roughly half of all consumers polled were willing to endure some inconvenience to save three cents per gallon and nearly a third said they were willing to drive ten minutes out of their way to save three cents per gallon.

Question: What would you do to save three cents per gallon?
Graph showing the response of consumers when asked what they would do to save three cents on a gallon of gasoline. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Note: Consumers could select more than one response.

Supporting Information

What would you do to save 3 cents per gallon? Percent of Respondents
Drive 10 minutes out of my way 29
Drive 5 minutes out of my way 42
Pay by cash inside the store 49
Take a left-hand turn across a busy street 51

Source: National Association of Convenience Stores, 2008 Consumer Fuels Report, based on 1,215 telephone interviews with adults conducted from December 26, 2007 to January 4, 2008.

 

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