The public has spoken. With expectations of soaring gas prices, more than three out of four Americans want the government to impose a 40-mile-per-gallon fuel-efficiency standard on American vehicles. This comes from a new Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) national opinion survey released by the Civil Society Institute. The CSI is a non-profit think tank that "serves as a catalyst for change by creating problem-solving interactions among people, and between communities, government and business that can help to improve society."

The poll results were based on telephone interviews conducted among a sample of 1,016 adults age 18 and over who live in private households in the continental United States. The poll found that 45 percent of Americans were more likely to buy a hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle than they were six months ago.

According to the survey, a majority of Americans blame U.S. automakers for being blind to the needs of the public and see Japanese manufacturers ahead of the US in developing hybrid and other fuel-efficient vehicles. The public wants want to encourage U.S. automakers to meet the needs of the new fuel-conscious America.

"These findings should be a real wake-up call to any auto executive in Detroit who is hoping against hope that Americans will fall back in love with gas-hog vehicles," ORC VP Wayne Russum said. "What Americans are saying to American carmakers is that they are ready for change."

Are termites the key to better biofuel? To read more, click here.