Consumers cautious about biofuel

After a month of pilot sales by some petroleum companies, E10 bio-fuel has yet to create a breakthrough in purchasing power. Tuoi Tre Online reported on August 26 that most people in Ho Chi Minh City still maintain the habit of filling up with RON95 gasoline.

After nearly a month of implementation, people are still cautious 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.

Ms. Truong Ha Linh (resident of Nhieu Loc ward) said that although she heard that E10 gasoline was advertised as being improved, she still decided to wait for more time to verify. If it is okay, she will switch to this environmentally friendly gasoline.

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

Anh Quoc Nam, a big-engine motorbike player, frankly said he would not risk using E10 for his Royal Enfield 500 worth 150 million VND.

According to Mr. Nam, fuel is not only a matter of cost but also related to engine durability and driving experience. "Not all cars are designed for E10.

"If used incorrectly, it can cause damage," said Mr. Nam, adding that if companies like Honda or Yamaha produce compatible vehicles, users will easily accept it. On the contrary, with old vehicles, special vehicles, and large displacement vehicles like his, it is difficult to avoid feeling worried.

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

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

Many consumers also shared that although they sympathize with biofuels and want to contribute to environmental protection, they still wonder whether E10 gasoline ensures quality and is durable.

The amount of E10 gasoline sold is quite modest.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre, a representative of the Petrolimex gas station on Phan Dang Luu Street (HCMC) said that according to preliminary data, the output of E10 gasoline sold is still quite modest compared to mineral gasoline, averaging about 400 liters/day. However, the consumption has increased slightly compared to the first days of implementation.

This person also said that although the staff provided advice, the habit of accessing information of consumers has also changed. Most customers learn through social networks instead of waiting for direct advice or leaflets like before. Although the results are not really breakthrough, after only one month of implementation, E10 biofuel has initially recorded acceptance from users.

Gas stations said they are continuing to monitor and hope that the market will soon show more positive signals so that they can adjust their business methods more appropriately in the coming time.

NHAT XUAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-tieu-dung-de-dat-voi-xang-sinh-hoc-20250826224927566.htm