Biofuel and E10 fails to ignite motorists

Motorists are suffering "green fatigue" and service stations are pulling  E10 from pumps. In the past two years, use of biofuels and ethanol blends rose only 4 per cent while the number of people considering a car's environmental credentials when buying a new car has stagnated, according to research released yesterday (APRIL 20) by insurer, AAMI. 

Only one in three (36 per cent) fill up with the alternative fuels and half (51 per cent) say they think about fuel consumption or air pollution ratings before buying their car. 

AAMI spokesperson Reuben Aitchison says there is a large number of Australians who want to reduce the impact of their car on the environment, but this number appears to have stagnated over the past few years. 

"Availability of biofuels and ethanol blends has increased over the last two years, and cost is not a major barrier according to AAMI's research," he says. However, ethanol demand in NSW has drawn supplies from other states where some service stations have shut down E10 pumps. 

Biofuels Association Australia chief Heather Brodie said E10 bowsers are not being withdrawn in NSW because it has a mandate that 6 per cent of total petrol volumes must contain 10 per cent ethanol. 

"Bowsers have been removed, which is unfortunate, because there is a growing consumer awareness and desire to be able to purchase the fuel," she said. "Unfortunately biofuels need to be mandated to encourage their use." Brodie says motorists may also be suffering from "green fatigue". 

"Coupled with a dip in the number of drivers who say green factors are front of mind at the car dealer, as well as the number of drivers actively changing their driving style to reduce their environmental impact, it seems as though Green Fatigue has well and truly set in," he says.

"We know that Australians care about the environment and their impact on it, but it seems as though other pressures, like cost of living, are taking a priority."