- Automotive consumers proceed to prioritize gasoline economic system, in keeping with the most recent survey from Client Experiences
- 96% of respondents mentioned gasoline economic system was no less than considerably necessary when contemplating what automobile to buy
- Respondents imagine the burden is on automakers extra so than the federal government to extend gasoline economic system
A majority of People help stricter gasoline economic system rules, in keeping with a brand new Client Experiences survey.
For this survey, Client Experiences requested 2,191 American adults in regards to the significance of higher fuel mileage between August and September 2024. Of that pattern, 91% drove internal-combustion vehicles—and appeared keenly conscious of the environmental and financial impression of burning fossil fuels.
The overwhelming majority of survey respondents—96%—mentioned gasoline economic system was no less than considerably necessary when contemplating what automobile to buy or lease, whereas 66% mentioned it was “essential” or “extraordinarily necessary.” Simply 4% mentioned it was unimportant.
2025 Toyota Prius
Gas economic system was the most typical attribute respondents pointed to as having room for enchancment in new autos, one thing that is been constant throughout eight nationally consultant surveys performed by Client Experiences over 9 years. That perspective was additionally bipartisan, with majorities of each Democrats and Republicans saying automakers ought to proceed to enhance gasoline economic system.
Such enhancements must also be federally-mandated, respondents mentioned, with 64% saying the federal government ought to proceed to extend fuel-economy requirements. That is maybe as a result of the shopping for public does not belief automakers to enhance effectivity on their very own. Simply 27% agreed that automakers care about reducing gasoline prices.
And whereas many People would contemplate paying extra up entrance for a hybrid if the additional value was made up in gasoline financial savings over the course of possession, they represented a a lot slimmer majority of 52%.
Car lifetime gasoline financial savings since 2001 (by way of Client Experiences)
Steadily-increasing fuel-economy requirements have already delivered vital financial savings no matter what vehicles People are shopping for, although. In a separate evaluation, Client Experiences discovered that, taken collectively, more durable requirements have delivered gasoline financial savings of over $9,000 in comparison with autos from 2001. An further $6,000 in financial savings may very well be achieved by the 2029 mannequin 12 months, if present requirements stay in place, Client Experiences famous.
An replace to Company Common Gas Economic system (CAFE) requirements confirmed in 2024 covers mannequin years 2027-2031, and requires fuel-economy enhancements of simply 2% for passenger vehicles and a couple of% for mild vans throughout these mannequin 12 months. The EPA estimates that its corresponding guidelines would require 56% EVs by 2032, plus a further 13% plug-in hybrids. That is a slower rollout than the 67% EV share initially proposed.
Even these small enhancements might come beneath menace by an incoming Trump administration that favors Massive Oil over decreasing emissions. However as Client Experiences factors out, such insurance policies might additionally cheat voters out of financial savings on the pump.
