The vast majority of Americans drive to work, but even the threat of higher gas prices doesn’t seem to be encouraging them much to carpool, take public transportation or buy an energy-efficient hybrid car.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of adults say the price of gas will be at least somewhat important in their deciding what vehicle they will purchase next. For 48%, it is a very important factor.

Just 16% say gas prices will be not very or not at all important when they are deciding on the next vehicle they purchase.

Women express more concern about gas prices than men. Lower-income Americans are more concerned than those who earn more. Forty-two percent (42%) of investors are very concerned, compared to 53% of non-investors.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter.

Right now, 88% of adults say they drive to work. Twelve percent (12%) say they do not.

Thirty-five percent (35%) say it is at least somewhat likely that the next automobile they buy will be a hybrid car, with 10% saying it is very likely. This number is virtually unchanged from last October after prices at the pump had hit record highs.

Thirty-six percent (36%) say they are not very likely to buy a hybrid, and another 20% say they are not at all likely to do so.

Government workers are four times as likely as those who work in the private sector to buy a hybrid. Interest in hybrids, which are generally more expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles, is higher among those who earn more annually.

Only eight percent (8%) of those who drive to work say they have used public transportation more in the past year to get to their job. Twenty-two percent (22%) say they have used public transportation less in that time period, and 57% say their usage is about the same as in years past.

Among Americans who commute to work, those ages 18 to 29 and those who earn less than $20,000 per year are much more likely to have increased their use of public transportation in the past year.

Seventeen percent (17%) of those who drive to work say they have carpooled more in the past year to save on gas costs, but 74% say they have not.

Women who drive to work are nearly twice as likely to have carpooled more in the past year than their male counterparts. Democratic commuters are three times as likely as Republicans to have carpooled more in the last 12 months.

Americans give mixed reviews to Congress’ “Cash for Clunkers” plan to encourage the purchase of new, more fuel-efficient cars. Forty-two percent (42%) favor the proposal to offer car owners up to $4,500 if they turn in their old vehicle and put the money toward an energy-saving replacement, but 34% oppose it.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of adults support higher fuel efficiency standards for cars even if it makes them cost more.

But just 25% say they would buy a new car from a bankrupt automaker like General Motors and Chrysler.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.