CONSUMERS WANT HIGHER FUEL EFFICIENCY

Here are some poll numbers released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."

May 21, 2009

 Most Americans agree with President Obama's push for higher fuel efficiency even if, as expected, it increases the cost of a new car.

Sixty-three percent (63%) favor a law that would require automakers to produce cars that get more miles out of a gallon of gas. Just 29% oppose such a measure in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

If requiring higher fuel efficiency increases the average cost of a car by $600 or more, 55% support still support it while opposition rises to 36%.
At the same time, 68% of all adults oppose higher taxes on bigger cars and SUVs as a way to encourage the sale of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Only 23% think the extra taxes are a good idea.

Democrats are far more supportive of mandated fuel-efficiency standards than Republicans, but their support drops more dramatically when the increased cost is factored in.

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Democrats agree with the plan to require automakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, while 53% of Republicans oppose it.

But Democratic support drops 16 points to 71% if the mandates add $600 or more to the cost of a new car, while GOP opposition increases only five points to 58%.

Among adults not affiliated with either major political party, 59% favor a law requiring higher fuel efficiency, and that support falls just slightly to 56% when the question includes the higher cost per vehicle.

Eighty percent (80%) of Republicans, 61% of Democrats and 64% of unaffiliated Americans oppose extra taxes to discourage sales of bigger cars and SUVs.

Eighty-one percent (81%) of Americans also reject a large increase in the federal government's tax on gasoline as a way to encourage people to buy more fuel-efficient cars.

The president on Tuesday announced new fuel efficiency standards that will begin to take effect in 2012. By 2016, the required average will be 35.5 miles per gallon, up from 25 mpg for the current year. The new standards are expected to add anywhere from $600 to $1,300 to the cost of a new vehicle. The survey did not measure the impact of higher prices on support for the new standards.

These standards are being implemented at a time when the government has taken unprecedented control of two struggling auto giants--General Motors and Chrysler. Only 18% of Americans believe the government and unions will do a good job running the auto companies. Most expect that, upon formally assuming an ownership role, the government will give GM and Chrysler unfair advantages over other auto companies.

The government's increased involvement in Chrysler and General Motors after both companies declare bankruptcy is expected to push the automakers more aggressively into making more fuel-efficient vehicles. But only 25% now say they would buy a car from a bankrupt automaker.

Americans have mixed feeling about the so-called " Cash for Clunkers " plan moving through Congress . Forty-two percent (42%) like the idea of offering car owners up to $4,500 if they turn in their old vehicle and put the money toward a more fuel-efficient replacement, but 34% oppose it.

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To view a copy of the original report, please use this link: Higher and Higher!