OPEI survey shows consumers still sorely lacking education on higher ethanol fuel blends
Awareness and knowledge of how to use high ethanol fuel blends remains relatively unchanged among consumers over the past few years, according to a recent national poll conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). According to poll results, price continues to drive decisions at the pump and consumers do not pay much attention to pump warning labels. OPEI conducted similar research in 2013 and 2015.
The 2016 poll results show that almost two-thirds (64 percent) of age 18-and-older American adults who own outdoor power equipment say they either are not sure (42 percent) or do not pay any attention (22 percent) to what type of fuel they are using. In 2015, almost half (45 percent) were not sure what type of fuel they used and one in five (20 percent) did not pay any attention to the type of fuel used.
Gasoline containing greater than 10-percent ethanol (E10) can damage or destroy outdoor power equipment, including lawn mowers, chain saws, generators, utility vehicles and other small-engine equipment such as motorcycle, snowmobile and boat engines, according to most engine manufacturers. Yet, the poll, conducted in March 2016, shows 66 percent of Americans will use the least-expensive grade of gasoline whenever possible, versus 63 percent in 2015 and 71 percent in 2013. In addition, 60 percent of Americans assume that any gas that is sold at a gas station must be safe for all of their vehicles or power equipment versus 57 percent in 2015 and 64 percent in 2013. By federal law, it is illegal to use those higher ethanol fuel blends in outdoor power equipment.
“The research continues to prove that Americans are still unaware of the damage that can occur to their outdoor power equipment as a result of misfueling,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of OPEI. “There are 100 million legacy outdoor power equipment products in homeowners’ garages, maintenance sheds and facilities across America. The scope of this issue is massive and shows that much more education is needed.”
Attention at the pump: According to the poll, while 85 percent of Americans understand gasoline contains ethanol, price is the overriding priority for the gasoline-consuming public. Among those who drive and buy from a filling station, the vast majority (92 percent) notice the price, but far fewer look at anything else, including ethanol content (24 percent), octane rating (56 percent), and even warning labels (50 percent). Nearly 57 percent, an increase of 6 percentage points over last year, confess that they typically only pay attention to labels on fuel pumps if they read “Warning” or “Do Not Use In…” And 51 percent demonstrate that they don’t give it much thought as they tend to fill up their portable gas tank with the same fuel used to fill their vehicle. This is a 3-percent increase over last year’s poll findings (48 percent).
“We hope the Environmental Protection Agency will engage in more education as additional blended fuels are introduced in the marketplace,” said Kiser. “Otherwise, we could continue to see confusion among consumers. The outdoor power equipment industry has supported consumer education through our ‘Look Before You Pump’ campaign since 2013. But it’s clear our government needs to do more.”
Methodology: The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll via its Quick Query omnibus product on behalf of OPEI on March 11-15, 2016, among 2,023 adults age 18 and older. Last year’s survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of OPEI on April 23-27, 2015, among 2,015 U.S. adults age 18 or older. The 2013 survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of OPEI on July 31-August 2, 2013, among 2,040 U.S. adults age 18 or older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample, and therefore, no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, contact ami@fourleafpr.com.
About OPEI: The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. OPEI is the advocacy voice of the industry, and a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and performance standards. OPEI is managing partner of the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO), the industry’s annual international trade show, and it is the creative force behind the environmental education program, TurfMutt (TurfMutt.com). OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues, including recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across the Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.
