Consumers are cautious.

After a month of pilot sales by some petroleum businesses, E10 bioethanol fuel has yet to achieve a breakthrough in sales. A report by Tuoi Tre Online on August 26th showed that most people in Ho Chi Minh City still maintain the habit of filling up with RON95 gasoline.

Nearly a month after its implementation, people are still hesitant about E10 gasoline - Photo: N.XUAN

At the Petrolimex gas station on Le Van Sy Street (Nhieu Loc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), within five minutes of observation, the number of customers choosing E10 could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Ms. Truong Ha Linh (residing in Nhieu Loc ward) said that although she heard information about E10 gasoline being advertised as an improvement, she still decided to wait longer to verify it. If it proves to be good, she will switch to this environmentally friendly type of gasoline.

Similarly, at some Petrolimex gas stations on Phan Dang Luu Street (Phu Thuan Ward), many customers only choose E10 when recommended by staff. Many others still shake their heads, smile dismissively, and continue to fill up with their familiar conventional gasoline despite being advised otherwise.

Anh Quoc Nam, a big bike enthusiast, frankly stated that he would not risk using E10 for his Royal Enfield 500, which is worth 150 million VND.

According to Nam, fuel consumption is not just about cost, but also relates to engine durability and driving experience. "Not all cars are designed for E10."

"Using it incorrectly can cause damage," Nam said, adding that if manufacturers like Honda or Yamaha produced compatible vehicles, users would readily accept them. Conversely, with older models, specialized vehicles, or large-displacement motorcycles like his, the feeling of apprehension is unavoidable.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Trung (residing in Bay Hien ward, Ho Chi Minh City) said he tried using E10 fuel from August 1st to experience it, as the price difference between E10 and RON 95 is only a few hundred dong per liter, too small to affect his daily expenses.

"For motorcyclists, each time I fill up the tank, I only save a few hundred dong, which isn't much. What I care more about is the vehicle's performance and the environmentally friendly advertising. If, after a while, I find the engine isn't as smooth or stable as when using RON 95, I'll go back to the old type of gasoline," he said.

Many consumers also shared that while they have a positive view of biofuels and want to contribute to environmental protection, they still wonder whether E10 gasoline is of guaranteed quality and will last longer in their engines.

The amount of E10 gasoline sold is quite modest.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre newspaper, a representative of a Petrolimex gas station on Phan Dang Luu street (Ho Chi Minh City) said that according to preliminary data, the sales volume of E10 gasoline remains quite modest compared to conventional gasoline, averaging about 400 liters per day. However, consumption has increased slightly compared to the early days of implementation.

This person also stated that although staff provide advice, consumers' information access habits have changed. Most customers now seek information through social media instead of waiting for direct consultations or receiving leaflets as before. While the results are not yet truly groundbreaking, after only one month of implementation, E10 bioethanol has begun to show acceptance from users.

Gas stations say they are continuing to monitor the market and expect more positive signs to emerge soon so they can adjust their business methods accordingly in the coming period.

Nhat Xuan

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-tieu-dung-de-dat-20250826224927566.htm