Europeans want affordable renewables, survey finds

A new EuroPulse survey of 26,000 people across 24 EU member states and the UK has found that Europeans favour a transition away from imported fossil oil towards locally produced renewable energy, but want governments to ensure affordability.

The poll, conducted by independent not-for-profit firm Project Tempo, concluded that affordability has become the defining issue in Europe's energy debate. 'Cost is king,' the firm said.

The survey found Europeans still oppose a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, by 46% to 27%. Respondents also ranked energy independence and air quality as higher priorities than tackling climate change.

European ethanol producers association ePURE has seized on the findings, arguing that domestically produced renewable ethanol offers a ready-made solution to the affordability concerns identified in the poll.

The association points to ethanol's greenhouse gas reduction performance, which it says cuts emissions from petrol and hybrid cars by more than 80% on average, alongside its production from multipurpose crops grown by European farmers. Ethanol production also yields food, animal feed and biogenic CO2, and causes no deforestation, ePURE said.

Several European commissioners, including commission president Ursula von der Leyen, have cited renewable ethanol as a strategic asset for EU energy independence.

The findings come as France and Germany seek to reconcile technology flexibility in the EU approach to transport decarbonisation with a desire to favour a made-in-Europe value chain.

EU policymakers return from the summer recess to resume work on key legislation including a revision of car emission standards and the post-2030 renewable energy legal framework.