Survey Finds Motorists Want Less Costly Fuel Alternatives

OMAHA, Neb., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent national survey commissionedby Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC)(http://www.drivingethanol.org) shows the skyrocketing cost of gasoline isforcing American motorists to rethink their driving habits and choices at thepump. The cost of summer driving, with oil prices nearing $140 a barrel, hasbecome an increasing financial burden for many American consumers.

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The EPIC survey(http://www.drivingethanol.org/news_events/consumer_awareness.aspx) found 47percent of those polled stated that a fuel price below $5 a gallon should bethe point where fossil fuels are no longer our primary fuel sources. Anadditional 27 percent of those polled reported that the critical price pointlies between $5 and $5.99. America is getting close to the break-point asSunday, the national average of a gallon of gasoline rose to $4.005, 90 centshigher than a year ago, according to AAA.

'Motorists are frustrated and angry about high gas prices. Everyone isfeeling the pinch at the pump, which really underscores our need forbiofuels,' said Toni Nuernberg, executive director of EPIC(http://www.drivingethanol.org). 'As gas prices continue to skyrocket, wemust continue the push for the only current transportation energy option wehave today-biofuels.'

Even in the face of heavy criticism from anti-ethanol groups and misplacedblame for rising food prices, the ethanol fuel industry continues to help keepfuel prices below the even-more exorbitant prices consumers would pay withoutthe availability of ethanol fuel.

According to data from Iowa State University, blending gasoline withethanol has kept fuel prices $0.29 - 0.40 lower per gallon than they wouldhave been otherwise. In the Midwest, the savings are the greatest, with fuelprices suppressed by as much as $0.39 per gallon due to ethanol fuel blending.

The survey found that 42 percent of those polled said they were copingwith rising gas prices by driving less, but 15 percent reported there wasnothing they could do to cut back on the increasing expense of driving.

'Motorists across the country are reaching their breaking point,' saidNuernberg. 'Rising fuel costs are impacting the economy across the board.Cost-effective renewable alternatives must be a part of our country'slong-term energy plan.'

Survey Methodology:

Online survey of a total 1,004 completed surveys from Luth Research'sSurveySavvy online research panel. Survey fielding dates were April 24, 2008through April 30, 2008. To learn more about the research, visithttp://www.drivingethanol.org/news_events/consumer_awareness.aspx

About EPIC:

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is an alliance of ethanolproducers and industry leaders who have come together to spread the word aboutthe benefits of ethanol through information and promotional programs. EPIC isa nonprofit organization and is overseen by an 11 member board of directors.Visit http://www.drivingethanol.org for more information about EPIC.

Web Resources

Ethanol Information: http://www.drivingethanol.org

Renewable Fuels Information: http://www.renewablefuelsnow.org

SOURCE Ethanol Promotion and Information Council