The European Parliament has gotten a boost of public support for increased fuel efficiency standards from TNS Opinion. The polling firm conducted a survey of 5,000 drivers in Germany, France, England, Italy and Spain to find out if they would support a proposed 25% increase in fuel efficiency. TNS Opinion found that 87% of respondents showed strong support for rapid passage of this increased standard.
This survey delved deeper than surface level concerns about fuel efficiency to take the pulse of the European public. A plurality of respondents (46%) felt that the best way to increase fuel efficiency was forcing manufacturers to reduce fuel usage in new vehicles. TNS Opinion’s callers found that 27% of participants wanted tax incentives to decrease fuel usage while 7% were interested in limiting car usage.
Another interesting aspect of TNS Opinion’s survey was the primary motivation for European consumers when buying new vehicles. The survey found that 64% of respondents looked at fuel efficiency as the main consideration outside of price when buying vehicles. These respondents placed safety standards and emissions levels lower on the priority list, showing the economic struggles facing the average European family.
TNS Opinion also gauged the concern of European drivers about the influence of fuel prices on the economy. 72% of survey participants said that rising fuel prices were forcing their households to adjust budgets. A majority of respondents in the five European countries (64%) indicated that the economy would be helped by passage of the 25% fuel efficiency standard.
The results offered by TNS Opinion last week join a growing list of similar surveys throughout the world. We have all seen polling on news reports and newspapers showing that drivers are frustrated enough with fuel prices to start looking at energy alternatives. We all know the pain at the pump when filling up for a commute to work or a weekend trip out of town.
The difference between this poll and American polls is that the European Parliament is on the verge of passing stricter standards. While American politicians are criticized for watching polls closely, they aren’t watching the right polls. The TNS Opinion poll may have been taken in Europe but it can be applied easily in the United States, Canada and elsewhere.
I lived in Germany 5 years, and the gasoline prices are so high, most of the people have bicycles to go around nearby instead of using their cars. So they are more aware of the need for using less gas consuming vehicles.