2026 Gas vs EV Cost Comparison Survey Template

A gas vs EV cost comparison survey is a data collection tool that gathers real-world information about fuel and charging costs from current vehicle owners. It measures how price changes, tariff volatility, and total cost of ownership influence whether drivers consider switching to electric vehicles, capturing unfiltered consumer sentiment on the economics of each powertrain.

Use this survey when major fuel price shifts occur, new tariff regimes take effect, or you're planning fleet purchasing decisions. The 2026 tariff cycle makes this timing critical for automotive brands, fleet managers, and energy analysts who need current data on how real drivers respond to changing ownership costs.

Include at least gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and non-driver categories so you capture the full adoption funnel. This design lets you segment responses by current powertrain, revealing whether hybrid owners are closer to EV switching or if non-drivers have specific barriers preventing vehicle ownership entirely.

Tariff increases directly raise EV purchase prices and may impact battery supply costs, shifting the payoff timeline for switching from gas. A cost comparison survey measures this perception shift in real time, showing whether buyers view EVs as still cost-competitive or whether tariff impacts have delayed purchase timelines by 6+ months.

Beyond fuel and electricity prices, total cost of ownership includes maintenance, depreciation, tax incentives, insurance, and financing terms. This survey captures how drivers weight each factor by asking about satisfaction, purchase decision drivers, and how a 30% fuel price surge would influence EV interest, revealing what actually moves purchasing decisions.