Americans Rank Fuel Efficiency as Top Vehicle Purchasing Factor

Many Americans confused about how lighter weight parts can add up to big fuel efficiency

WASHINGTON -- Oct. 16, 2014: More than three-quarters (79%) of Americans say that fuel efficiency is more important than safety, body type or price, when purchasing a car. That's according to a new study, Driving Toward Change, which sheds light on the shifting preferences of American car buyers. The research, sponsored by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and Plastics Make it PossibleŽ, surveyed drivers around the country. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of participants say that fuel efficiency is more important to them now than it was just five years ago.

While most Americans say they would prioritize fuel efficiency over other automobile features, the study also reveals confusion over how to make a car more fuel-efficient. When asked about the relationship between vehicle weight and fuel economy, only about half of people (55%) recognized that a lighter-weight vehicle is more fuel-efficient.

"What many car buyers don't realize is that lighter materials place less of a strain on a car's engine and improve gas mileage," said Steve Russell, vice president of ACC's Plastics Division. "For many of today's cars, plastics make up 50 percent by volume—but only 10 percent by weight, which is great news for Americans concerned about paying too much at the pump."

Additional key findings of the Driving Toward Change study include:

Nearly four out of 10 (37%) admitted to driving further to get gas at a lower price. Less than one-third (32%) think fuel efficiency would increase if a vehicle was made with more carbon fiber composites. More than eight in 10 (83%) of Americans don't know that a lighter-weight vehicle can be as safe as a heavier vehicle. The auto industry is under increasing pressure to make cars and trucks more fuel efficient. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations require that carmakers increase fuel economy to nearly 55 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2025. In turn, the industry is seeking innovative solutions, which include replacing heavier materials with lighter-weight materials.

The research released today, conducted by Kelton Global, a leading global insights firm, is based on a survey of 1,014 adults (ages 18 and over) that gauged perceptions and sentiment on fuel efficiency, car buying and materials.