【Gasoline Price Hikes and EV Awareness Survey】Nearly 80% of Drivers Feel Financial Pressure, Over 60% Consider Electric Vehicles for Next Purchase, Two-Thirds Say Rising Prices Boosted Interest

KINTO Inc. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; President and CEO: Shinya Kotera) announces the results of a survey on gasoline price hikes and electric vehicles, conducted among 330 drivers who currently own gasoline-powered vehicles (gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid) and use them at least once a month.

Survey Summary

01｜Approximately 80% of drivers of gasoline-powered vehicles (gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid) feel the rise in gasoline prices as a burden on household finances. 02｜The price threshold at which drivers would consider reducing car use is highest in the '200 yen range' (24.8%), but 29.4% responded they would 'continue driving regardless of price.' 03｜60.9% are considering electric vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric cars, etc.) for their next vehicle replacement, and two-thirds of them say 'rising gasoline prices have increased their motivation.'

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on Awareness of Gasoline Price Hikes and Electric Vehicles Method: Internet survey planned by IDEATECH's research marketing platform 'Risappy®' Survey Period: June 19–22, 2026 Valid Responses: 330 drivers who currently own gasoline-powered vehicles (gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid) and use them at least once a month

*Percentages are rounded to two decimal places, so totals may not sum to exactly 100.

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Survey Results

Frequency of Car Use Among Gasoline Vehicle Drivers: 'Almost Daily' Accounts for 53.6%

When asked, 'Q1. How frequently do you use your car (gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid) recently?' (n=330), 53.6% responded 'almost daily' and 27.0% 'about 2–3 days per week.'

- Almost daily: 53.6% - About 2–3 days per week: 27.0% - About once a week: 12.7% - About 2–3 times per month: 3.9% - About once a month: 2.7%

Approximately 80% Feel Gasoline Price Hikes as a Household Burden

When asked, 'Q2. How do you feel about the recent rise in gasoline prices in terms of its impact on your household budget (living expenses)?' (n=330), 34.5% responded 'feel significantly burdened' and 43.3% 'feel somewhat burdened.'

- Feel significantly burdened: 34.5% - Feel somewhat burdened: 43.3% - Do not feel much burden: 17.9% - Do not feel burdened at all: 3.0% - Don't know / Can't answer: 1.2%

Top Fuel-Saving Practice: 'Practice Eco-Driving' at 40.6%

When asked, 'Q3. What are you actually doing or being mindful of to save on gasoline costs? (Multiple answers allowed)' (n=330), 'practice eco-driving' was selected by 40.6%, 'use cheaper gas stations' by 36.7%, and 'reduce car usage frequency' by 31.2%.

- Practice eco-driving: 40.6% - Use cheaper gas stations: 36.7% - Reduce car usage frequency: 31.2% - Other: 0.9% - Not doing anything in particular: 22.4%

For Those Reducing Car Use, 'Daily Shopping' Most Avoided at 69.9%

When asked, 'Q4. For those who answered 'reduce car usage frequency' in Q3, please specify the trips you have reduced in frequency or stopped taking. (Multiple answers allowed)' (n=103), 'daily shopping' was selected by 69.9%, 'leisure activities such as travel and dining' by 47.6%, and 'driving for pleasure' by 35.9%.

- Daily shopping: 69.9% - Leisure activities such as travel and dining: 47.6% - Driving for pleasure: 35.9% - Commuting to work or school: 22.3% - Dropping off/picking up family members: 17.5% - Medical visits: 12.6% - Other: 1.0% - Do not wish to answer: 0.0%

Trips Drivers Cannot Reduce Despite Price Hikes: 'Daily Shopping' at 56.7% and 'Commuting' at 44.2%

When asked, 'Q5. Please specify trips you cannot reduce even if gasoline prices rise. (Multiple answers allowed)' (n=330), 'daily shopping' was selected by 56.7%, 'commuting to work or school' by 44.2%, and 'dropping off/picking up family members' by 27.3%.

- Daily shopping: 56.7% - Commuting to work or school: 44.2% - Dropping off/picking up family members: 27.3% - Leisure activities such as travel and dining: 22.1% - Medical visits: 21.2% - Driving for pleasure: 11.2% - Other: 2.1% - No trips that cannot be reduced: 7.9% - Do not wish to answer: 0.6%

Approximately 80% of Drivers Know Gasoline Prices Are Being Suppressed by Government Subsidies

When asked, 'Q6. Are you aware that government subsidies are currently preventing sharp increases in gasoline prices?' (n=330), 78.2% responded 'yes, I know,' and 17.0% 'have heard of it.'

- Yes, I know: 78.2% - Have heard of it: 17.0% - Was not aware: 4.8%

Threshold Price for Reducing Car Use: '200 yen range' (24.8%) Most Common, 29.4% Say 'Will Continue Driving Regardless'

When asked, 'Q7. At what price per liter of regular gasoline would you start reducing or giving up car use? (n=330), 29.4% responded 'will continue driving regardless of price,' and 24.8% selected the '200 yen range.'

- 160 yen or below: 2.1% - 170 yen range: 8.2% - 180 yen range: 13.3% - 190 yen range: 6.7% - 200 yen range: 24.8% - 210 yen range: 2.4% - 220 yen or above: 7.6% - Will continue driving regardless: 29.4% - Don't know / Can't answer: 5.5%

Half of Drivers Would Reduce Car Travel if Gasoline Prices Rise Further

When asked, 'Q8. If gasoline prices rise further, how do you think your life and household budget will be specifically affected? (Multiple answers allowed)' (n=330), 50.0% responded 'reduce car travel,' 26.4% 'reduce spending on essentials like food and daily necessities,' and 26.1% 'reduce spending on non-essentials like hobbies.'

- Reduce car travel: 50.0% - Reduce spending on essentials like food and daily necessities: 26.4% - Reduce spending on non-essentials like hobbies: 26.1% - Car maintenance itself becomes difficult: 19.4% - Other: 0.3% - No significant impact expected: 17.0% - Don't know / Can't answer: 6.4%