Grainnet

Austin, TX -- A survey of more than 2,500 drivers across the United States revealed that a majority of drivers (95%) who currently do not use biofuels could be encouraged to make the switch from conventional gasoline.

The survey, commissioned by Pavilion Technologies and conducted by Harris Interactive, uncovers drivers’ perceptions and usage patterns of biofuels in America.

“Americans are ready to make the switch to ethanol. The results of this survey demonstrate that drivers want to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil and some are even willing to pay a premium price to help the environment,” said Matt Tormollen, chief marketing officer, Pavilion Technologies.

“With ethanol production in full swing, this is an exciting era for the fuel industry and Pavilion is proud to work with ethanol manufacturers who are bringing responsible fuel alternatives to drivers across America."

Incentives to Drive Consumer Demand

When asked what would encourage them to start using a biofuel in their vehicle, drivers offered the following response:

-- Lower price than conventional gasoline (72%)

-- Convenience -- e.g. if biofuels were sold at my local gas station (61%)

-- Desire to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil (59%)

-- Improved engine performance (58%)

-- Proof that biofuels are better for my car (56%)

-- Knowing where to buy it (50%)

-- A tax credit or financial incentive from the government (48%)

-- Desire to protect the environment (48%)

-- Proof that biofuels are environmentally friendly (43%)

Only 5% of drivers who do not already use a biofuel said nothing would encourage them to use a biofuel in their vehicle.

Drivers Willing to Pay More to Help the Environment

Despite the fact that three out of four drivers (75%) agreed that they typically opt for the cheapest solution when purchasing fuel, 47% indicated that they would pay a premium price for biofuels if they were proven to be better for the environment than conventional gasoline.

Drivers Just Don’t Know Enough to Buy

When asked why they do not currently use biofuels, a majority of drivers said they did not think their car could run on biofuels (57%) and they don’t know where to buy biofuels (47%).

These results suggest that consumers may not know that many cars on the road today can run on ethanol blends of up to 10% without modification and some drivers may already be using gasoline with some blend of ethanol.

(Note: Consumers can find a list of the nearly 1,200 gas stations that sell E85, a blend of 85% ethanol, at the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition Web site, www.e85fuel.com.)

Motivations of Early Adopters

Of the 5% of drivers who knowingly use an ethanol-blend fuel or biodiesel in their vehicle, the top three most commonly cited reasons for using biofuels were a desire to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil (53%), concern for the environment (40%), and supporting the agricultural economy (34%).

Interestingly, cost was not a significant factor for choosing to use alternative fuels, as only 15% of biofuel users say they use this type of fuel because they think it is less expensive.

For more information, call Annie Klein at 415-512-0770.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Pavilion Technologies

more GRAIN NEWS...