CR: U.S. Consumers Want More Fuel Economy

Nine in 10 U.S. consumers polled by Consumer Reports say carmakers should continue to improve fuel economy in all vehicle segments.

CR says the findings are especially relevant as the Trump administration prepares to freeze future fuel economy requirements at 2020 levels.

Only one-third of respondents to the magazine’s first-time survey believe carmakers care about reducing fuel costs for their customers. The online and phone study canvassed slightly more than 1,000 people.

When asked which attributes drivers most want to see improved in their next vehicle, fuel economy ranked first, followed by maintenance costs, purchase price and infotainment/connectivity.

Among drivers of fullsize pickup trucks and SUVs—the market’s best-selling segment—55% would like to see better fuel efficiency in their next vehicle. Only three in five drivers of small or midsize vehicles, whose popularity is waning, consider further efficiency gains important in their next purchase decision.

CR says its analysis agrees with an assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency that technology-boosting technologies would have their biggest impact and shortest payoff in trucks and SUVs.