- Automotive buyers proceed to prioritize gasoline economic system, in keeping with the most recent survey from Client Stories
- 96% of respondents stated gasoline economic system was a minimum of considerably necessary when contemplating what car to buy
- Respondents consider the burden is on automakers extra so than the federal government to extend gasoline economic system
A majority of Individuals assist stricter gasoline economic system laws, 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 fuel 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 a minimum of considerably necessary when contemplating what car to buy or lease, whereas 66% stated it was “crucial” or “extraordinarily necessary.” Simply 4% stated it was unimportant.
2025 Toyota Prius
Gasoline economic system was the commonest 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 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 must also 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 does not belief automakers to enhance effectivity on their very own. Simply 27% agreed that automakers care about decreasing gasoline prices.
And whereas many Individuals would take into account paying extra up entrance for a hybrid if the additional price was made up in gasoline financial savings over the course of possession, they represented a a lot slimmer majority of 52%.
Automobile lifetime gasoline financial savings since 2001 (by way of Client Stories)
Steadily-increasing fuel-economy requirements have already delivered vital financial savings no matter what vehicles Individuals are shopping for, although. In a separate evaluation, Client Stories discovered that, taken collectively, harder requirements have delivered gasoline financial savings of over $9,000 in comparison with autos from 2001. An extra $6,000 in financial savings may very well be achieved by the 2029 mannequin 12 months, if present requirements stay in place, Client Stories famous.
An replace to Company Common Gasoline Financial 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 gentle vans throughout these mannequin 12 months. The EPA estimates that its corresponding guidelines would require 56% EVs by 2032, plus an extra 13% plug-in hybrids. That is a slower rollout than the 67% EV share initially proposed.
Even these small enhancements might come below menace by an incoming Trump administration that favors Large Oil over lowering emissions. However as Client Stories factors out, such insurance policies might additionally cheat voters out of financial savings on the pump.
