Study finds some confusion regarding new fuel choices

by | Mar 30, 2017 | 5 Ag Stories, News

A new nationwide study has found Americans seem to remain confused about new fuel choices at the pump and their appropriate usage. The study was commissioned by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and surveyed more than 2,000 adults online.

The poll found that more consumers have reported mis-fueling engines not recommended for ethanol blends higher than 10 percent, which includes small engine outdoor power equipment, increasing from three percent in 2015 to five percent in the most recent study.

Study results show ethanol awareness in fuels remains steady, at 84 percent, and that 44 percent of outdoor power equipment owners are paying attention to the type of fuels they are using.

Ethanol blends greater than 10 percent in small engines is not authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency. Regardless of the fuel, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute says it?s also important to drain fuel out of small engines if they will be left unused for more than 30 days, or to add a fuel stabilizer.