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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #531: August 11, 2008
Preferences for Hybrids and Diesels

Two surveys conducted a year apart, August 2007 and August 2008 asked the same question:

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 assuming you were buying one? (Choices were gasoline, clean diesel, or hybrid)

In 2008, nearly 10% more respondents reported they would choose a hybrid vehicle than in 2007; about 2% more respondents chose clean diesels. The overall trends between all respondents and respondents who are college graduates are about the same; however, college graduates report a greater willingness to purchase a hybrid vehicle than other respondents.

Choice of Vehicle Given the Above Scenario – ALL RESPONDENTS
Graphic showing the percentage of all respondents to a survey taken in 2007 and 2008 asking their choice of vehicle (gasoline, clean diesel, hybrid) if the cost for hybrid and diesel were $3,000 more than gasoline but the annual fuel use would be reduced by 30%. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Choice of Vehicle Given the Above Scenario –RESPONDENTS THAT WERE COLLEGE GRADUATES
Graphic showing the percentage of college graduate respondents to a survey taken in 2007 and 2008 asking their choice of vehicle (gasoline, clean diesel, hybrid) if the cost for hybrid and diesel were $3,000 more than gasoline but the annual fuel use would be reduced by 30%. 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?
  All Respondents Respondents That Were
College Graduates
  2007 2008 2007 2008
Hybrid 52% 60% 61% 70%
Gasoline 33% 22% 26% 15%
Clean Diesel 12% 14% 10% 11%
Don't Know 4% 4% 3% 4%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

Source: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study # 716328, August 9, 2007, N=1010 and
Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study # 717318, July 31 - August 3, 2008, N=1005.

 

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