Do plug-in hybrids have a future in America? It really depends upon who you ask, but a survey done recently by research firm Pike Research suggests these vehicles, “promising dramatically improved fuel economy over standard internal combustion engines,” are gaining acceptance as a potential purchase among an increasing number of drivers.
Pike said its research found 48 percent of consumers were interested in purchasing a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV. The biggest decision factor around this opinion seems to be improved fuel efficiency, with those surveyed saying pretty strongly as a group they’d be willing to to pay an average premium of 12 percent over and above the price of a standard gasoline vehicle. Distance is a factor as well, given an average daily driving distance of 27 miles – the survey was based around a PHEV with a 40-mile range on a single charge. Also of importance in consideration is the easy “availability of workplace, private, and public vehicle charging stations” in the immediate area.
image via Pike Research
Pike Research PHEV Survey [via press release]
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