Poll shows Americans support higher fuel efficiency, but will they buy?
As you might expect with gas prices above $3 a gallon Americans are overwhelmingly in favor of higher fuel economy standards. A new poll showed seventy percent of people who responded support forcing carmakers to build vehicles that are forty percent more efficient. What the poll didn't ask was whether those same people would buy those vehicles if guys prices were to drop again. Most likely the answer would be no. Those same people who clamor for more efficient vehicles also want the government to lower gas prices. American consumers have notoriously short memories and they have shown time and again that when gas prices dip they are more than willing to jump back into their SUVs.
[Source: Angus Reid, thanks to Sebastian for the tip (Editor's note: obviously not the Sebastian who writes for ABG...]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben K. 12:10PM (7/09/2007)
Consumers are becoming conditioned to fuel at the $3 per gal. average. Increasing fuel economy drastically isn't possible with current technology. Vehicle size and weight must be reduced substantially to improve mileage. Thus, compromising safety and comfort. Motorcycles average about 45-50mpg, how can a car be expected to achieve the same results? It's not rocket science, as much as I and everyone else would enjoy improved mileage we can't drive what we really want. But, alternative fuels will reduce our demand for oil by using other sources of energy. A variety of vehicles are being developed to take advantage of E85 and CNG, all abundant domestic fuels. The plug in electric hybrid will be the next generation solution. GM offered the EV1 in the 90's to no avail. The Smart2 is the newest gimmick, but it's also a two seater. It didn't sell in Europe where gas is much higher. It looks like a golf cart with doors, dangerous! A diversity of options provided by free enterprise will meet the challenges of tomorrow. Until then, changing consumers habits will be a gradual change in the market place. Forcing automakers to make changes, hoping consumers will adapt is insane. I doubt I'll see any politician's driving in anything but an armored Suburban or limo. So, don't expect the public or industry to change overnite. Because we haven't had a national energy policy for the past 35 years. Cooperation between industry and government officials is required, if this legislation is going to resolve the issue long term. Every industry, business and household must be part of the solution.
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frank78 12:16PM (7/09/2007)
I have driven smaller, more efficient cars even when gas was cheaper, but even I can say I don't blame people for driving bigger cars when prices are low. The perceived cost is relatively low and people think that bigger equals more comfort.
There are plenty of reasons to not buy a big hulking auto, such as parking problems, maneuverability, more depreciation. However, people don't take those into account usually. Car purchases are often like an other purchase- driven by emotion rather than sanity. Hopefully with a combination of the housing bubble deflating and gas prices increasing, people will learn to to think longer term and thus more rationally when making a major purchase.
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Ron Fischer 1:59PM (7/09/2007)
CAFE is an imperfect answer to a problem for which there no easy solutions. Consumers and politicians won't support carbon taxes, higher gasoline prices, etc. Ideally, rather than legislate this we'd make the "free market" work for us. I'd like to see: CAFE eliminated, oil industry subsidies dropped, carbon taxes or auctions started and support for new (startup) auto companies. That means new gasoline, diesel or hybrid car companies, not just Tesla clones. Where's the "Silicon Valley" of automaking today?
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Don 5:38PM (7/09/2007)
"We support high mileage vehicles fully...but we'll be buying a new Suburban."
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Joseph 12:36PM (7/10/2007)
Of course people won't buy the fuel-efficient vehicles they support. Humans are too greedy!
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Der Alte 1:26AM (7/10/2007)
Gas is too cheap in the US for anybody to change their what they buy or how far they drive. Period. Consumer habits will only shift as the price goes up. As the supply of cheap oil dwindles and the harder to get stuff becomes more prevalent, the price will go up accordingly.
What can the US Government do? Stop fighting pointless wars just to get cheap oil. Just get the heck out of the Middle East altogether and let them all blow each other up as they are intent on doing that regardless. Somehow I think the Arabs realize that they need US Oil money to keep going and that the US will suffer along with or without them, they'll find a way on their own to keep oil supplies safe. When both sides in the Middle East realize nobody is holding them back from mutual annihialation, only then will they be serious about making peace.
Meanwhile at home, let the free market do its thing. If CO2 is a problem, then cost out measures to abate CO2 levels down to what is acceptable and tax the emitters of CO2 by the amount they put up in the air. Use these funds for pollution control programs and to fund R&D. One of the few shortcomings of the free market system is that there is no inherent system to compensate for damage done to the environment by economic activities that do just that.
Before long the market will find the right blend of solutions all on its own based on what actually works.
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