Internet-orientated Hungarian car drivers' knowledge and attitudes towards biofuels. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balogh, P.; Bai, A.; Popp, J.; Huzsvai, L.; Jobbágy, P.
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 48(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: GHG greenhouse gases -- WWF World Wide Fund for Nature -- ACEA European Automobile Manufacturer's Association -- COPA-COGECA The united voice of farmers and their co-operatives in the European Union -- USDA United States Department of Agriculture -- B-10 fuel with 10% biodiesel and 90% fossil diesel content -- DDGS Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles -- RED Renewable Energy Directive (EU) -- ILUC Indirect Land Use Change -- DLUC Direct Land Use Change E-85, fuel with 85% bio-ethanol and 15% gasolin content; Biofuels -- Drivers -- Attitude analysis; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.03.045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: The respondents rated the most important questions of the questionnaire on a Likert scale. The responses greatly deviated from the normal distribution; therefore, the Kruskal–Wallis H and Mann–Whitney U were used to test the differences of knowledge about and interest in biofuels and of differences between the most important characteristics of the analysed clusters. As opposed to other studies in this topic, respondents' self-knowledge and real awareness about biofuels were examined jointly. As a result, it was concluded that 78% of those who rated their knowledge appropriate are relatively realistic about the depth of their knowledge. Significantly less respondents had practical experience with biodiesel than ethanol, but the results of the crosstable analysis suggest that these respondents know biofuels more than those who had practical experience with ethanol. Although respondents are basically positive about biofuels, there are significant differences between them. Based on the result of the attitude analysis, respondents were classified into three typical clusters: the indecisive, the supporters and the sceptics. The three clusters can be clearly distinguished from each other in terms of their ways of thinking and they probably represent the opinions of the drivers about biofuels well. Compared with other countries' surveys, the results suggest that there are many similarities and differences between Hungarian car drivers' perceptions to biofuels. It is our opinion that the findings of our examinations are capable of focusing decision-makers' attention, as they corroborate the singificance of conveying knowledge and influencing others online. Highlights: We examined respondents' self-knowledge and real knowledge about biofuels. 78% of those who rated their knowledge appropriate are relatively realistic. Less respondents had practical experience with biodiesel than ethanol. 3 Typical clusters were classified: the indecisive, the supporters and the sceptics.