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Not the path to electrification?
Not even much higher gas prices can force change?
Are Americans ready for the hybrid and plug-in revolution?
According to a new Harris study of American car owners, only 1 in 25 Americans are seriously interested in purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle. Instead, consumers are more interested in cheaper cars that offer better fuel economy, such as smaller cars.
, the only bright spot in the Harris survey was the 10 percent of Americans that would consider switching to compressed natural gas.
Unfortunately, even more disturbing is the recommendations from the studies authors. “Although there are some significant entry barriers, we believe that as consumers become more familiar with alternative fuel approaches, and gasoline costs rise, demand will grow.”
Higher gasoline prices? Sadly, past studies have indicated that as gas prices increase, demand for cheaper vehicles will increase even more. Instead of paying a little extra upfront to save money in the long term, most consumers would rather downsize into a cheaper vehicle.
Is another 30 or 50 years of foreign oil dependence simply inevitable?
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