At $4.00 per, Californian’s Are Supposedly slowing down?

[xcel]

Maybe so but it probably has more to do with the congestion than the need.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Aug 24, 2012

While traffic volume is falling due to higher fuel prices, congestion is just as bad as it has ever been in the southern Californian corridor.

A Ford sponsored survey on hybrid vehicle trends finds 77 percent of California drivers are likely to consider a hybrid vehicle if they don't have to give up the performance and technology expected from gasoline-powered vehicles.

As gasoline prices have risen, 98 percent of Californians are serious about saving fuel, including 46 percent who drive slower and even 10 percent who claim to draft behind larger vehicles <-- WTF???

Many Californians are slowing down to save fuel and believe a hybrid vehicle is the best way they can live greener nad place $’s back in their pocket according to the new hybrid vehicle trends survey. With a majority poised to plunge into the hybrid market, only a few reservations such as price, performance and technology considerations seem to be holding them back.

Understanding that the novelty of simply driving a hybrid vehicle isn't enough to convince the majority of today's car buyers to accept common tradeoffs like reduced performance is a start. The Prius for example has a poorly designed interior even though the mechanicals are first rate. All are charging too much for the hybrid premium unfortunately.

Michael O'Brien, Ford's Electrified Vehicle Marketing Manager:

"The hybrid market has been relatively flat for a number of years because, we think, many customers are waiting for a hybrid that doesn't come with sacrifices."

The survey – conducted by Penn Schoen & Berland in early August finds that 77 percent of Californians are likely to consider a hybrid vehicle if they don't have to sacrifice performance and technology.

Polk U.S. registration data shows that one in every four electrified vehicles registered in the country are located in California, making it by far the largest EV market in the country and the logical choice for Ford to launch C-MAX Hybrid.

Among the surveys key findings:

• 46 percent of Californian drivers say they're driving slower, 38 percent say they are coasting more to stops and 10 percent claim they are drafting larger vehicles to help save fuel
  
  
• 77 percent of Californian drivers would consider buying hybrid vehicle, but still some have reservations. Among those who are less interested in buying a hybrid, 39 percent are concerned with the higher price typically associated with the advanced vehicles, 20 percent think there will be a technology shortfall
  
  
• Also, more than 40 percent of current hybrid owners say their vehicle has performance comparable to a gas-powered vehicle
  
  
• Californian drivers rank a car with good fuel economy as the top energy-saving product on a list that also includes energy-efficient appliances, light bulbs and even solar panels
  
  
• More than a quarter of Californian drivers would invest $1,000 in disposable income on hybrid vehicles and solar power technologies
  
  
• 87 percent of California hybrid intenders always or sometimes spend more upfront on energy-efficient products to save money later
  
  
• The ability to save money on gas is the top consideration for buying a hybrid vehicle
  
  
• 60 percent of Californian drivers said they would consider a Ford hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicle as Ford leads hybrid perceptions among domestic automakers

While Ford is touting the C-MAX and upcoming Fusion Hybrid, they are not inexpensive by any means and this is the most harmful part of the hybrid expectations and experience

My two weeks stuck in a place where sunshine rules… And so does the traffic.

[WriConsult]

Originally Posted by xcel

46 percent of Californian drivers say they're driving slower, 38 percent say they are coasting more to stops and 10 percent claim they are drafting larger vehicles to help save fuel

I find this very difficult to believe.

[herm]

Meanwhile back in France premium gas just hit 2.05 euros per liter, and I think that works out to $10 a gallon!.. note the price for diesel.

[priusCpilot]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

I find this very difficult to believe.

Im not sure about that number either but I must say I have noticed more right lane drivers fallowing me at 60mph on the hwy. It is as if they fallow a Hybrid then in turn they will benefit from my style of driving haha?? Don't know but some have slowed down. I think anyone going 65mph or less in CA means that they have slowed down in their mind since they normally go 70-75mph easy. In the city I do notice a lot of bad driving though. They love to try and beat the lights but they put A LOT of effort for little gain.

[priusCpilot]

Originally Posted by herm

Meanwhile back in France premium gas just hit 2.05 euros per liter, and I think that works out to $10 a gallon!.. note the price for diesel.

OMG if we had those prices here I would only p&g everywhere in the city only haha! 99mpg is the only way to take those prices. Here is the US that would surly make even the most fuel wasting drivers submit to changes to improve MPG.

[ALS]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

I find this very difficult to believe.

Ditto, I had to run up to New Castle north of Pittsburgh and I only passed one vehicle.

That vehicle was a MegaBus driving five miles per hour below the speed limit probably heading for Cleveland. BTW cost is $28 for the trip one way. It's twenty eight dollars because they're working on cutting their fuel costs by slowing down the bus. BTW Pittsburgh to Detroit is only $19. They charge an extra two dollars or $21 to flee Detroit for Pittsburgh

I just laughed at those blowing past me as I was getting 60 mpg on the trip.

Gas hit $3.80 a gallon today up the street from me.

[Harold]

It was a at 4.38 when I was down to Cal last Feb. I did not notice any slow drivers! H

[PaleMelanesian]

I wonder how the survey was worded. If it implied, "I did this once", then the results make sense. Only those who make a habit of changing their driving will see results like we do here. I think that's one reason so few ever bother to change their driving. They never try it for even one full tank, so they never see results. Then they give up.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

and even 10 percent who claim to draft behind larger vehicles <-- WTF???

Those people are probably confusing drafting with tailgating. Neither one is good ; some folks want to put a nice spin on it by waving the FE flag. Everyone here may be tempted , but we all know better. I HATE the idea of letting some truck or larger vehicle set my speed for me , even if it was perfectly safe and legal. Which it isn't.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

I wonder how the survey was worded. If it implied, "I did this once", then the results make sense. Only those who make a habit of changing their driving will see results like we do here. I think that's one reason so few ever bother to change their driving. They never try it for even one full tank, so they never see results. Then they give up.

Andrew, that is so true. I hear the same story from my co-workers. If something involves "change" , they panic. So.......... things stay the same.