These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
17% Say They're Likely To Buy An All-Electric Car Next
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Despite major announcements in recent days from both Ford and Nissan about stepped-up development of electric cars, just 17% of Americans say it is at least somewhat likely that the next car they buy will be all-electric, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's down four points from last August .
The new finding includes six percent (6%) say they're very likely to buy an all-electric car next, compared to eight percent (8%) in the previous survey.
Seventy-five percent (75%) are not likely to go that route. That includes 40% who are not very likely to buy an all-electric car next and 35% who say they are not at all likely to buy one as their next car purchase.
There's also been a slight reduction in the number who say they are likely to buy an all-electric car in the next 10 years since August when President Obama announced $2.4 billion in federal grants to spur the production of electric cars in this country. At that time, 40% said they were at least somewhat likely to buy an all-electric car in the next decade, including 14% who said it was very likely.
Now, 36% say they are at least somewhat likely to buy such a vehicle in the next 10 years, with 12% who say it's very likely. Fifty-seven percent (57%) are not likely to buy an all-electric car in that time frame, including 32% who say they are not very likely to do so and 25% who say they are not at all likely to buy one.
Going green isn't the chief motivation for buying an all-electric car. Forty-six percent (46%) say they are more likely to buy that kind of car because of high gas prices. Twenty-seven percent (27%) say they're motivated more by the fact that it's good for the environment. Twenty-seven percent (27%) aren't sure.
Adults 18 to 29 are more likely to consider the purchase of an all-electric car in the next 10 years than those in any other age group. But reluctance to buy such a car next is common among Americans of all ages.
Those earning more than $60,000 per year are more likely to say they'll buy an all-electric car in the next decade than those who earn less.
Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Republicans and the plurality (44%) of adults not affiliated with either major party cite higher gas prices as their primary motivation for considering the purchase of an all-electric car. Democrats are evenly divided between higher gas prices and concern for the environment.
Gas prices have increased 85 cents over the past year to nearly $3 a gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), and an overwhelming majority of Americans believe they will continue to rise. But that doesn't mean most adults are driving any less.
Seventy-two percent (72%) favor offshore oil drilling, and 59% believe that gas and oil prices are at least somewhat likely to go down if the United States allows such drilling.
By a 55% to 32% margin, most voters continue to believe finding new sources of energy is more important than reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume. Support for finding new sources of energy has been this high or higher for months.
In June of last year, 80% of adults said the price of gas will be at least somewhat important in their deciding what vehicle they will purchase next . For 48%, it was a very important factor.
In a January 2009 survey, 51% of Americans favored tax credits for those who purchase alternative fuel cars. Given a choice between a car recently developed that ran on an alternative fuel source and a traditional gas powered car, 49% said they would buy the alternative fuel vehicle. Thirty-four percent (34%) said they would opt for a traditionally fuelled car.