- Automobile customers proceed to prioritize gasoline economic system, in keeping with the most recent survey from Client Stories
- 96% of respondents stated gasoline economic system was at the very least considerably essential 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 assist stricter gasoline economic system rules, in keeping with a brand new Client Stories survey.
For this survey, Client Stories requested 2,191 American adults in regards to the significance of higher gasoline mileage between August and September 2024. Of that pattern, 91% drove internal-combustion vehicles—and appeared keenly conscious of the environmental and financial affect of burning fossil fuels.
The overwhelming majority of survey respondents—96%—stated gasoline economic system was at the very least considerably essential when contemplating what automobile to buy or lease, whereas 66% stated it was “crucial” or “extraordinarily essential.” Simply 4% stated it was unimportant.
2025 Toyota Prius
Gas economic system was the most typical attribute respondents pointed to as having room for enchancment in new automobiles, one thing that is been constant throughout eight nationally consultant surveys carried out by Client Stories 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 also needs to be federally-mandated, respondents stated, 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 would not belief automakers to enhance effectivity on their very own. Simply 27% agreed that automakers care about decreasing gasoline prices.
And whereas many People would think about 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 (through Client Stories)
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 Stories discovered that, taken collectively, more durable requirements have delivered gasoline financial savings of over $9,000 in comparison with automobiles from 2001. An further $6,000 in financial savings could possibly be achieved by the 2029 mannequin 12 months, if present requirements stay in place, Client Stories 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 pair of% for mild vehicles 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 may come beneath menace by an incoming Trump administration that favors Large Oil over decreasing emissions. However as Client Stories factors out, such insurance policies may additionally cheat voters out of financial savings on the pump.
