From: tylerh@cco.caltech.edu (Tyler R. Holcomb)
Subject: GM electric vehicle survey (was Re: GM electric )
Keywords: impact electric vehicl GM
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 18:52:14 GMT

In the previous post, I submitted a letter from GM discussing
their electric vehicle program and providing consumer contact
information.  In the letter, reference was made to a survey
GM had produced to gain more information.  As this was
essentially a "marketing survey" I felt it inappropriate for
usenet and omitted it.  However, I have gotten a variety of
requests for this survey, so I am posting it here.  

Please note:

1.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND REPLIES TO ME.  I am not associated
with GM in any way.  

2.  I do not know what will be come of the information if you
do send your response to GM.  In particular, I do not know
if they wil put you on  a mailing list, or call you 
up and bug you, or treat it as confidential.

3. I take no responsibility for any effects, good or bad, that
results from responding to this survey.

4.  If you are uneasy providing personal consumer information to
a multi-national corporation, DO NOT RESPOND.

As I have said, I am only posting this because I have been asked to
by individuals on the net.  I am peronsally uneasy furthering
GMs commercial interests over the net.

Here is a part of the original letter:


>                                     G M

>                              Electric Vehicles

>                                                      July 23, 1992


[stuff omitted]

>Please tell us what questions and issues are important to you. Enclosed is a 
>questionnaire regarding zero-emissions and alternative-fuel vehicles. We would
>appreciate it if you would complete it and return it to us. This will help us
>better plan the  information we provide in our communications with you.

>In the meantime, if you have any questions about our program or electric
>vehicle issues,  feel free to call at (800) 25-ELECTRIC or (800) 253-5328.


>                                  Sincerely,
>                                  John R. Dabels
>                                  Director, Market Development

>Enclosure 

>General Motors Electric Vehicles Resource Center 
>432 North Saginaw Street, Suite 801 Flint, MI 48502

>1-800-25-ELECTRIC (1-800-253-5328)



Following is the survey sent from the GM
Electric Vehicles program.  You can either spend a stamp to send it to them at:

General Motors Electric Vehicles
432 N Saginaw Street Ste 801
Flint MI 48502-0022

or you can call 1-800-25-ELECTRIC and get added to their mailing list.  (Ask
for the survey and I'm sure that they will send it to you.)

o Below is a list of statements. Please indicate if you agree or disagree with
  these statements.

     1             2            3           4               5
Strongly Agree   Agree   Neither Agree   Disagree   Strongly Disagree
                         Nor Disagree

__ I am concerned about the amount of pollution in the air today.

__ I think foreign companies are more likely to come out with new technology.

__ I am willing to accept modifications to my lifestyle if it  helps the
   environment.

__ Nuclear power plants are a good way to generate clean energy.

__ The type of vehicle a person drives says a lot about them.

__ I prefer to purchase proven vehicles that have been on the  market awhile.

__ I am concerned about reliance ofthe United States on imported oil.

__ If something is not done, air quality will continue to worsen in the U.S.

__ I consider myself a car or truck enthusiast.

__ I prefer to buy products made with materials that are recyclable.

__ I consider myself to be a very rational and analytical shopper.

__ I usually consult consumer guides before major purchases.

__ I prefer to buy environmentally friendly products even if they cost more.

__ I prefer advanced technology in most products that I buy.

__ I like a sporty looking vehicle.

o Please describe your driving on a typical day, in terms of miles driven and
  travel time. (one-way to work or school)

                                Weekday   Weekend
                                __ Miles  __ Miles
                                __ Time   __ Time

o Do you drive your primary vehicle a significant amount during the workday?
(excluding commute)

__ No __Yes (If yes, how many miles)

o Assume that you could recharge an electric vehicle at home and at work. Which
  of the following meets your needs? (select all that apply)

An electric vehicle that had a range of...

__ 40 miles __ 80 miles __ 12O miles __ 160 miles __ 200 miles

An electric vehicle that had a recharge time (from approximately 20% charged
to completely recharged) of...

__ 1 hour  __ 2 hours __ 3 hours
__ 4 hours __ 6 hours __ 8 hours

o There is much speculation about advanced battery technologies that could
  provide greater driving range, longer battery life, and shorter recharge
  times. Which of the following statements best describes your expectations
  concerning battery development?

__ I think that batteries can improve significantly, but it will be at least
   10 years before advanced batteries are offered for retail sale.
__ Advanced batteries may be available in the next 6 to 8 years.
__ Advanced battery-powered vehicles will be available within the next 3 to 5
   years at a cost comparable to that of gas-powered vehicles.

o Given your answer, in what year would you be most likely to
  buy an electric vehicle? ____

o You may also have heard about hybrid electric vehicles. A hybrid electric
  vehicle is usually an electric vehicle (battery-powered and driven by electric
  motors) with a gas-powered generator that feeds electricity directly to the
  battery pack.

Some of the characteristics of a hybrid vehicle are:

     highway range of approximately 250 miles on a single
      charge, while the generator is in use
     longer battery life
     emissions from the motor generator set, approximately 50%
      of the emissions from a current automobile
     additional cost of approximately $2000 over the cost of a
      comparable fully electric vehicle

Given this description of a hybrid vehicle, which vehicle
would you rather purchase?

__ A hybrid electric vehicle            __ Equally interested in both
__ A fully electric vehicle             __ Would not choose either one

Which vehicle configuration do you prefer?

__ A two seat coupe                     __ A four/five passenger sedan
__ A four seat coupe                    __ A five/six passenger minivan

What size vehicle do you prefer?

__ Economy (Geo Metro, Mazda 323, Toyota Tercel)
__ Small (Ford Escort, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla)
__ Midsize (Honda Accord, Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Lumina)
__ Full size (Pontiac Bonneville, Ford Crown Victoria)

The following information will be used for statistical
purposes only.

    What is the approximate size of the company where you
Work?

__ 1-2O employees                       __ 51-1OO employees
__ 21-50 employees                      __ Over 100 employees

Approximately how many employees are there at your
location/building?

__ 1-20 employees                       __ 51-lOO employees
__ 21-50 employees                      __ Over 100 employees

Would you be interested in participating in a driver
profile study in the future? (no obligation)

__ Yes __ No

Please use this space to give us any additional
thoughts or concerns that you may have about our
program or about electric vehicles in general:

















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