Consumers Take to the Web for Alternative Fuel Research

Washington DC May 25, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that consumers have turned to the internet to research alternative fuel options such as ethanol and biodiesel amid high gas prices, which aren't likely to subside anytime soon, reports Auto Remarketing.

Research presented by Hitwise, an online competitive intelligence service, reported internet searches for the term "ethanol" were up 212 percent for the four weeks ending May 13, as compared to the four weeks ending April 15.

The company also found that market share of visits to the government website FuelEconomy.gov were up 115 percent in March. "When pump prices surge, we see a corresponding jump in searches for "gas prices" as well as alternate fuel sources such as "biodiesel," which was popular when gas prices breached $3 a gallon last September," said Bill Tancer, Hitwise's general manager of research.

"But this year, with the increased attention given to ethanol as an alternative fuel source, we see it overtaking "biodiesel" as gas prices continue to rise." Hitwise also analyzed traffic of Toyota and Honda websites, as both automakers produce hybrids.

According to executives, "Toyota's site experienced a market share increase of 42 percent in visits, overall. As for Honda, its websites saw a 19-percent jump, compared April to January."