Most Americans Would Consider Downsizing for More Fuel-Efficient Model - Survey

Most Americans Would Consider Downsizing for More Fuel-Efficient Model - Survey

Update: Adds survey methodology.

A recent survey of adult Americans found that 55 percent of respondents said they would be very likely or somewhat likely to give up a larger vehicle for a more fuel efficient model when they buy their next car.

The study, paid for by Capital One Auto Finance, also found that while the overwhelming majority of those surveyed (96 percent) do not currently own an alternative-fuel vehicle and two-thirds (76 percent) have never driven or test-driven one of these types of cars, 78 percent percent believe they are here to stay and are not just a passing fad.

Thirty-four percent of the respondents said it is somewhat or very likely that their next car purchase will be an alternative-fuel vehicle and most drivers (54 percent) surveyed think they will own an alternative-fuel vehicle in their lifetime.

Forty-two percent of survey respondents predicted that in 10 years, 25 to 50 percent of cars on the road will be gas-alternative models, while nearly a quarter (23 percent) believed that over 50 percent of cars on the road will be alternative cars by the year 2020.

With new technologies emerging, the study also found that consumers may not be doing enough research on alternative vehicles and may be unaware of valuable tools to consider when purchasing a new car.

The federal government is currently offering a tax rebate for the purchase of some alternative-fuel vehicles, yet 41 percent of consumers surveyed did not know about this rebate program.

Of those who said they were likely to purchase an alternative-fuel vehicle, nearly three-quarters (71 percent) have not calculated the savings in gas over a traditional vehicle.

The findings are from a telephone survey conducted by the opinion research firm, Braun Research of Princeton NJ. Braun Research completed 802 interviews among an audience of adults 18+ in the U.S.

The interviews were conducted between March 22-25. The margin of error is +/- 3.46 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Interviews were monitored at random.

Sampling for this study was conducted using a national RDD sample of Adults 18+ drawn from SSI. All interviews were conducted using a computer assisted telephone interviewing system. Statistical weights were designed from the U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.