People want to use less gas...but are only willing to do so much

Of course people say these things when gas prices are high.

Fifty-five percent of those who are considering replacing their vehicle are planning to get a small car. About 20 percent are considering a family sedan or small SUV. Fewer than five percent are considering a luxury sedan or large SUV, according to the Consumer Reports survey.

Although, some of them might switch to smaller, more efficient vehicles anyway for other reasons:

A desire to reduce U.S. oil consumption was important for 70 percent of them and the vehicle's "environmental friendliness" was important for 64 percent.

So people might be willing to pay a slight markup for greener vehicles, as long as they still think they're getting a good deal. That's alright. As we have long said here on TWM, things don't have to change overnight; they just have to change. Hopefully gas prices will still encourage people to move to cheaper, greener cars when they aren't shocked by those prices anymore.