Study Indicates Buyers Will Pay More To Save Gas, Just Not As Much As Automakers Are Charging

More Americans are willing to pay more for a vehicle that will save on fuel over time and are adjusting how they drive to make each drop of fuel go further, according to a new survey by market research firm Penn Schoen Berland.

Drivers are slowing down, coasting more to stops, and even drafting behind larger vehicles to save gasoline, the study released Wednesday shows.

Of survey respondents, 25% said they would buy a vehicle with hybrid technology if they had $1,000 more to spend. The same percentage of respondents would choose an energy-efficient appliance or solar panels. Most gasoline-electric vehicles that don't require recharging cost between $2,000 and $5,000 more than gas-engine versions of the same model.

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mini22 - 9/16/2012 9:32:37 PM

+1 Boost

Thats essentially the transition development problem. It's like when the first flat screen Tv made it's introduction you could not buy one for less than 4 or 5 grand. However technology has moved on and brought the price down to the same price as the old tube TV sold for. Thats what essentially has to happen to electric or hybrid gas cars.Once the price is similar to diesel or significantly less than they are now more and more people will buy them. In addition the ride and handling must be the same as for a gasoline care.Also the recharging times must must be 85% quicker than what they are now as well as the range before recharging. Anotherwords it needs to offer the same convienence as a gasline counterpart in all areas except propolsion in order for the public to buy them in the same numbers.