Source: Renewable Fuels Association news release
Washington, DC — New polling conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Renewable Fuels Association shows strong support for legislation allowing year-round access to E15, a lower-cost fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol. The survey of nearly 2,000 registered voters also showed a record level of support for the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Voter support for increasing availability of the E15 blend is at its highest level–72 percent–since RFA began quarterly polling in 2016. Two-thirds of respondents back the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, legislation to allow the nationwide year-round sale of the blend, while just 12 percent say they oppose the legislation and 21 percent had no opinion.
Roughly one-quarter of survey respondents say they have had the opportunity to purchase E15; and of those respondents, 62 percent said they purchased the fuel. Yet, slightly more than half of those surveyed have not had an opportunity to buy lower-cost E15, and another 23 percent were unsure if they have had that opportunity.
Voter support for the Renewable Fuel Standard policy is at 69 percent, the highest ever since RFA began quarterly polling.
“These survey results show that Americans want more options at the pump, and more consumers are recognizing that access to ethanol blends like E15 means greater energy independence and real savings every time they fuel up their vehicles,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Ethanol plays a key role in the Trump administration’s America First energy strategy, and these new polling results show that voters are starting to connect the dots. Voters are clearly looking to Congress and the administration to remove the barriers that prevent lower-cost fuels like E15 from accessing the marketplace.”
The survey also shows continued support for the use of E85 flex fuel, with 68 percent of respondents backing the promotion and sale of flex fuel vehicles that can use either that blend or regular unleaded gasoline. Fifty-eight percent said they are very or somewhat interested in buying an FFV, compared to only 39 percent for electric vehicles.
Finally, the survey asked about consumer attitudes on the importance of energy independence. Eighty-eight percent of respondents believe it is important for America to be energy independent, and 79 percent are very or somewhat concerned about gas price fluctuations. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) believe renewable fuels like ethanol are important to energy independence and that is very or somewhat important for their fuel to be made in America. Almost two-thirds (65 percent) oppose banning vehicles with liquid-fuel engines.
The survey was conducted online Sept. 10-12, among a sample of 1,825 U.S. registered voters. Data were weighted to approximate a target sample based on age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, 2024 presidential vote, and region. Results have a 2% margin of error.
Click here for a one-page summary of the results. For more detailed results, contact RFA Communications Director Ken Colombini.
About the RFA
๏ปฟSince 1981, the Renewable Fuels Association has been the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry, working to drive expanded demand for American-made renewable fuels and bioproducts worldwide.
