Gallup Surprise: Most Americans Now Say They May Buy Hybrid Cars

[Somechic]

Gallup Surprise: Most Americans Now Say They May Buy Hybrid Cars

By E&P Staff

Published: April 10, 2006 1:45 PM ET

NEW YORK A Gallup poll released today shows that nearly half of all Americans have cut back "significantly" on their driving due to high gas prices--and in a surprise, 57% say they will consider buying a hybrid car when replacing their current vehicle.

About half of Americans report economizing in general in order to compensate for the increase in gas prices over the past year.

Those favoring hybrids show little gender or regional differences, but "hybrids appeal much more to younger and middle-aged Americans than to seniors," Gallup reports. Upper-income Americans are slightly more likely than lower-income Americans (62% vs. 55%) to say they would seriously consider buying a hybrid when purchasing their next car.

According to the poll, 48% say they have cut back significantly on the amount they drive and 54% says they have reduced their household spending on other items because of high gas prices.

"Cutting back on driving is particularly prevalent among lower-income Americans," Gallup reports. "The income dividing line for a majority striving to save on gas occurs at the $50,000 level. A majority of those living in households earning less than $50,000 per year say they have cut back on driving due to gas prices. Only 36% of those making $50,000 or more say they have done this."

The survey of 1,001 adults was taken March 10-12.

http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/articl...t_id=1002314621

[DaveinOlyWA]

my personal experiences are even more biased than the study.

Nov 2003, i order my Prius. gas is 1.40 tell family and friends.

responses

90% whats a Prius
10% why you pay so much??

July 1,2004 i receive my Prius. gas is 1.20

response

50% whats that??
30% you coulda bought X car for Y dollars
20% if you think that Prius is a good buy, i have ocean front property in arizona...

July 1, 2005 gas is 2.10

50% the gadgets are kinda cool, but its too much money
50% my car gets about 40 mpg so there aint much difference. (the average mileage of people saying this is actually 25-30 mpg)


Oct 1, 2005 gas is 2.87 (never hit 3.00 in my area)

70% you pay WHAT for gas every week?? (actually about $20-25 every TWO weeks)
30% yea, i have been looking at those hybrids... if only they were a little cheaper

April 1, 2006 gas is 2.60 (has gone up 40 cents in past 5 weeks)

30% wow Dave, you really scored on that Prius ( i mentioned after 23,000 miles and 21 months that i had just recently past $1,000 in gas. some i work with have almost that much since the first of the year)
70% ya, i am really looking for a Prius too. i am even willing to settle for a used one at a good price (good luck with that !!)

[jfschultz]

This morning some of my friends were commenting about the pump cutting off when it hit $75.00.

[Somechic]

Are you serious about the $75 cut-off at the pumps?
I've never heard of that.

[DaveinOlyWA]

nope. i have filled over $100 in gas several times

[dipper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Somechic @ Apr 11 2006, 01:37 PM) [snapback]238179[/snapback]</div>

Are you serious about the $75 cut-off at the pumps?
I've never heard of that.
[/b]

It depends on the gas station owner/manager.

My boss said he could not get more than $50 of gas into his Denali in his neigbhorhood gas station.

[Somechic]

Does that make any other hybrid car owners smile or is it just me?

[TonyPSchaefer]

The problem is that as the price of gas increases, the animosity towards hybrid drivers will increase. It's been proven in mutliple tests that as an individual's stress increases, they lash out at others more frequently and more violently.

As much as I would love to put the phrase "10 gallons every 3 weeks" on my lower rear window, I fear that a guzzler would key my car or throw their newly-empty beer can at me on as I drive down the street.

[Ralphmc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Apr 12 2006, 11:27 AM) [snapback]238584[/snapback]</div>

The problem is that as the price of gas increases, the animosity towards hybrid drivers will increase. It's been proven in mutliple tests that as an individual's stress increases, they lash out at others more frequently and more violently.

As much as I would love to put the phrase "10 gallons every 3 weeks" on my lower rear window, I fear that a guzzler would key my car or throw their newly-empty beer can at me on as I drive down the street.
[/b]

Yes that is also part of my fear - and on of the reasons why I have placed my order for the CH - to be here in May 05, so I can be a little bit more an "incognito Hybrid driver"

Realy I do believe that there will be more vilonce at the pump, an on the road. A couple of days ago I was reclessly "tailgate" by a "red neck" in his moran V8 Pickup, and I was going at least speedlimit...

Ralph

[Begreen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 11 2006, 03:09 PM) [snapback]238250[/snapback]</div>

It depends on the gas station owner/manager.

My boss said he could not get more than $50 of gas into his Denali in his neigbhorhood gas station. [/b]

It's amazing how quickly one adjusts. I was alarmed when my last tankful exceeded $20! .

PS: gas going locally today for $3.08/g.