A recent poll from Northwest insurer PEMCO Insurance on fuel efficiency reveals that we are more interested in saving money on gas than saving the environment. Greenbacks vs. green cars.
Most of the drivers surveyed in the greater Portland area say they take steps to reduce the amount of gas they use, but mo eight out of 10 drivers say their fuel-efficiency practices are motivated by saving money, not the environment. This is surprising, since Portland is one of the most green cities in the USA, with an active program for plug-in charging stations for Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt and other electric cars.
According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, gas costs about 20 cents more a gallon in the Portland area than the national average.
To save on fuel, eight out of 10 drivers in Washington and Portland say they drive at a steady pace and avoid aggressive maneuvers on the road. About 60 percent proactively monitor their tires to make sure they have the right amount of air pressure, and about 40 percent make sure they're not hauling excess cargo.
An additional 38 percent of Portland drivers say they avoid using their air conditioner to increase fuel efficiency. But that could be the wrong thing to do. According to auto experts at Edmunds.com, the drag created by traveling with your windows open burns just as much fuel as running your car's AC.
The PEMCO poll also found that drivers above age 55 are most likely to take steps to reduce their gas usage compared with drivers under 35. Perhaps less surprising, drivers who say they would consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle if they were in the market for a new car are also among those who are more likely to conserve fuel.
The poll results come on the heels of a major breakthrough in negotiations for higher gas mileage standards for automakers in the United States. President Obama and major auto companies recently announced that by 2025 overall fuel economy will double to 54.5 miles per gallon.
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Always drive safely.
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