Tipping Point: Half of America Wants a Hybrid Car

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More than half of all Americans say they would seriously consider buying or leasing a fuel-saving hybrid car, according to a new poll.

Price is the obstacle for many, however.

More than half of all Americans (54 percent) said they have reduced household spending on other items because of high gas prices.

Hybrids, meanwhile, aren't selling because of the added cost, even though 57 percent of those polled said they would seriously consider one.

Ford Motor Company is now offering zero-percent financing on its Ford Escape SUV hybrid because of slower-than-expected sales, the Gallup organization points out. The vehicle's base price is $26,900, whereas the regular Escape starts at $19,380.

Age makes a difference in hybrid interest.

Among poll respondents age 18 to 49, 64 percent said they'd consider a hybrid, while only 39 percent of people 65 and older would.

The telephone poll of 1,001 adults was done March 10-12 and released today. It has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.

Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
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