In New Jersey, filling up your car with gas can be a frustrating task. The state is the only one in the U.S. that doesn’t allow drivers to pump their own gas, which means a simple stop at the gas station can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to much longer, depending on how busy the station is. For many, this is a chore they wish they could avoid. Additionally, constantly refueling can get expensive, especially if your car requires premium gasoline or doesn’t get great gas mileage.
A recent study from Consumer Reports revealed that many Americans are looking for ways to reduce the amount they spend on gas. The study, which surveyed 2,191 American adults in 2024, found that 96% of drivers consider fuel efficiency to be an important factor when buying their next car. Nearly two-thirds said fuel economy is very important in their decision-making process.
The survey also showed that 60% of respondents want better fuel economy to save money on gas. Moreover, 84% believe that car manufacturers should make all types of vehicles more fuel-efficient. Another 76% expect newer models to be more fuel-efficient than older ones. The data suggests that drivers want automakers to do more to improve gas mileage across the board.
This desire for better fuel efficiency is not limited to one political group. Consumer Reports found that both Democrats and Republicans agree that car manufacturers should prioritize fuel efficiency. The goal is to reduce fuel costs, and many feel that automakers can make further improvements to achieve this.
However, there is a push from some politicians to ease the current fuel efficiency rules. Under the Trump administration, the Obama-era fuel standards were rolled back, and the new policies aim to reduce the rate at which automakers increase fuel economy. Under these new rules, automakers would only need to increase the fuel economy of cars by 2% annually from 2027 to 2031, which could make vehicles less efficient and more expensive to fuel.
According to Consumer Reports, if current fuel efficiency policies are maintained, drivers could save an average of $6,000 in fuel costs over the next five years. If the rules change, it could cost drivers an extra $8,000 by the end of the decade. Many consumers want stronger standards that will help them spend less at the gas pump.