PRLog (Press Release) –
Apr 21, 2008 – “Despite the community’s movement towards greater sustainability and many people stepping up their efforts to reduce emissions, three-quarters of Australian drivers (74 per cent) choose not to use ethanol blends or biofuels,” AAMI Public Affairs Manager Geoff Hughes said.
A lack of driver awareness about the fuels’ suitability for their cars and concern they may even damage them appear to be the main reasons for drivers’ resistance to their use.
“Ethanol blends and biofuel producers have tried to educate motorists about the suitability of these fuels for conventional petrol engines, however four in 10 drivers nationally (41 per cent) still think they are not suitable for their cars, and one-quarter (26 per cent) think they will have a negative effect on the running of their car,” Mr Hughes said.
Perceptions about the fuels’ availability and cost also appear to be a barrier to their use, with 26 per cent of drivers nationally suggesting ethanol blends and biofuels are difficult to find, and 13 per cent saying they are too expensive.
Mr Hughes said it was surprising more Australian drivers were not willing to trial the fuels considering the level of acceptance in the community that human behaviours and practices could reduce harmful greenhouse emissions.
He said the rising popularity of low-emission hybrid and diesel-powered vehicles was evidence of our willingness to change for the betterment of the environment.
“Cleaner burning diesel-fuelled cars comprised 16 per cent of all car sales in Australian in 2007 (175,022), which is a considerable increase on the 130,403 diesel-fuelled cars sold in 2006. This appears to be part of a global trend towards cleaner-burning fuels for our cars, with diesel cars comprising 53 per cent of new car registrations in Europe last year
ii.
“Despite this trend to cleaner-burning fuels, AAMI’s research showed just seven per cent of drivers nationally drive LPG-fuelled cars, whose CO2 emissions are suggested to be 16 per cent less than petrol-burning cars
iii,” Mr Hughes said.
Some more willing to offset their vehicle emissions
The AAMI research canvassed drivers’ willingness to offset their vehicle emissions, finding one-third of drivers nationally (35 per cent) were unwilling to pay to offset their vehicle emissions.
“There are a number of organisations with which motorists can offset their vehicle emissions with but it is regrettable that just one in eight drivers nationally (13 per cent) say they currently pay to offset their emissions,” Mr Hughes said.
i Based on a telephone and internet survey of 2503 Australians independently conducted by Sweeney Research in every Australian State and Territory.
ii Greening your wheels, Jaedene Hudson, The Age (online), 31 March, 2008, sourced from Green Car Congress
iii LPG Australia Fact Sheet –
http://www.lpgaustralia.com.au
“However the research shows that there is some willingness among drivers to pay to offset their emissions, with 24 per cent prepared to pay up to $50, nine per cent between $51 and $100, and two per cent between $101 and $150 to offset their car emissions.”
Only two per cent of Australian drivers would pay more than $150 to offset their emissions.
Advice for drivers considering using ethanol blends or biofuels
• Before using biofuel or an ethanol blend fuel, make sure it is suitable for your car.
• Check the vehicle handbook or ask the manufacturer before using it.
• Using fuels that are not recommended by the manufacturer may void the car’s warranty.
Tips to reduce fuel consumption
• Use the throttle smoothly when accelerating by depressing the pedal lightly and slowly.
• Avoid peak hour traffic where possible.
• Look ahead to maintain momentum and avoid frequent stopping and starting.
• Check and adjust your tyre pressure regularly.
• Switch off your engine when caught in a traffic jam.
• At slower speeds, wind down the window instead of using your air conditioning.
• Remove unnecessary weight from your car and remove roof racks when not in use.
• Avoid using your car for short trips.
• Ensure your car is properly maintained and regularly serviced.
• Select higher gears and use lower revs when possible.
• If your car is less than 20 years old, it doesn’t need to be warmed up, so avoid unnecessary idling.
How to offset your vehicle emissions
Drivers can offset their vehicle’s emissions through organisations that will calculate their annual emissions and charge a tax-deductible levy that will fund emission-offsetting activities such as tree planting and the development of the renewable energy industry.
Organisations offering this service include
• Greenfleet - www.greenfleet.com.au
• Carbon Neutral - www.carbonneutral.com.au
• Climate Friendly – www.climatefriendly.com
For further information or to arrange an interview contact Geoff Hughes, AAMI Public Affairs Manager, 03 85201469 or 0413 483 591 or Brian O’Neil, Public Relations Exchange, ph 03 9607 4500 or 0411 055 284
AAMI is a leading car, home, compulsory third party (CTP) and small business insurer. We deal directly with our customers and we use innovative business and marketing strategies to provide them with high quality products and excellent customer service.
Established in 1970, AAMI today has more than 2.5 million policyholders and millions of incoming telephone calls annually.
