As gas prices across the United States hover near $4 a gallon, a new survey finds a majority of Americans support requiring automakers to meet a 60-mile-per-gallon standard by 2025.
The findings come as the Obama administration is expected to propose new fuel-efficiency regulations in September. Environmental groups say a 60-mpg standard would save U.S. drivers $101 billion per year. In 2009, the administration set the standard for light cars and trucks to 35.5 mpg by 2016.
The nationwide survey of 2,000 adults was released Monday and commissioned by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), a left-leaning nonprofit. It found that 75 percent of Americans say improving fuel economy standards is important. Sixty-two percent supported federal regulation requiring automakers to meet 60 m.p.g. standards by 2025.
A majority of people across the political spectrum supported such a measure, especially if fuel savings would negate the extra cost of a fuel-efficient cars within five years of purchase. Sixty-two percent of Republicans were in favor of a 60 mpg standard, and 71 percent of Democrats supported the measure. Independents were the least supportive, with 56 percent favoring the measure.
Economic, not environmental, concerns seem to be driving attitudes about improved fuel economy, with gas prices averaging $3.81 per gallon in May, according to AAA.
“Gas prices are the main driver of smaller-vehicle or more fuel-efficient vehicle purchases,” says Camyrn Craig, a research analyst at Kelley Blue Book, which tracks car sales. Her company found that gas mileage was a consideration for 84 percent of car buyers in April.
Kelley Blue Book research shows that when gas prices are between $3.07 and $3.41 per gallon, the majority of consumers do not rank gas mileage as a key consideration when purchasing a car.
“At $4, 70 percent said it would be a consideration,” says Craig. “At $5, 92 percent said it would be a consideration.”
A study by Consumer Reports magazine released in February found the financial savings for buying a hybrid to be mixed.
The Toyota Prius fared best, with its $5,000 higher price tag easily outstripped by fuel savings in the first five years. Other cars made up the extra cost, but only if gas prices are moderately high. For the Ford Escape hybrid to make up its higher cost in five years, gas would need to be at least $3.60 a gallon. Still others don’t fare well at all. The hybrid version of the Lexus RX would require a gas price of at least $8.77 a gallon.
For those concerned with pollution, fuel-efficient cars are a good bet, say environmentalists, as long as you aren’t ditching a reliable vehicle to buy one.
http://www.minnpost.com/businessagenda/2011/05/17/28359/poll_finds_americans_want_60_mpg_fuel_efficiency
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We should all be doing everything we can to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and STOP supporting these terrorist sponsoring states.
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