FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW WHITE PAPER:
CONSUMER SURVEY 2025: DRIVER BEHAVIORS AND PERSPECTIVES
Alexandria, VA, July 24, 2025 – What is the current state of mind of the consumer regarding their transportation needs, the price of gasoline, their potential to buy a new vehicle, and their perspective on alternatives?
Today, the Transportation Energy Institute (TEI) released a new white paper, Consumer Survey 2025: Driver Behaviors and Perspectives, which presents findings from a recent consumer survey to help decision makers better understand the driver. As with all surveys, the results reflect how respondents answered questions at a given moment in time.
“The consumers’ perspective evolves based on their general mindset around the overall economy and their personal preferences, and this mindset can impact which vehicle technologies or energy options will be most successful, states John Eichberger, TEI Executive Director. “It is essential to understand what they think and how they behave to ensure that the solutions being offered to them fit their needs and preferences.”
In collaboration with the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and TEI, the research firm Bold Decision conducted online interviews from Monday, May 19 – Wednesday, May 21, 2025, among American adults, age 18+, nationwide. The results from the survey are presented largely in a chart format to enable comparison of results across key demographic groups. The timing of the surveys was designed to assess consumer sentiment and insights early in the transition to summer-blend fuels before consumers observed related price increases linked to the transition.
Some key findings include:
- Consumers remain concerned about fuel prices
- 72% still said price is the most important factor when deciding where to buy gas.
- 69% would drive 5 minutes out of their way to save 5 cents per gallon
- Most are pessimistic about buying/leasing a vehicle
- 50% think now is a bad time to buy/lease
- 64% think prices will be higher next year
- Only 39% are likely to purchase or lease a new vehicle in the next two years
- Consumers are increasingly positive about EVs
- 44% have a positive attitude towards EVs
- 31% are more positive than last year
###########################
CONTACT:
Marjorie Frankel
mfrankel@transportationenergy.org
The Transportation Energy Institute (TEI) is a non-advocacy research organization dedicated to studying transportation energy. Founded by NACS in 2013 as the Fuels Institute as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit social welfare organization, the TEI publishes fact-based research projects designed to answer relevant market questions. Our reports are geared toward all industry stakeholders – from those trying to make strategic business decisions to policymakers.
