ECObarometer: 3 generations on LPG

Overwhelmingly negative public perception of the Green Deal

The EKObarometer analyzes a wide range of ecology-related phenomena this year and is an interesting reflection of public attitudes in the context of the recent European Parliament elections, in which ecological issues played an important role.

What is striking about the results of the EKObarometer 2024 survey is the image failure of the European Green Deal. Poles know little about the Green Deal, but they associate it primarily negatively - through the prism of rising energy prices (34%), rising food prices (29%), difficulties in the agriculture and forestry sector (28%), protests and demonstrations (25%) or additional financial burden on businesses and consumers (24%). At the same time, 30% of respondents see the Green Deal through the prism of fighting climate change, 28% see it through the prism of protecting the environment, and 24% see it through the prism of developing RES or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Skeptical assessment of activities carried out under the pretext of environmentalism has intensified compared to last year.

LPG an important fuel in rural areas

In terms of the questions developed by the research team in cooperation with the Polish LPG Organization, the results clearly prove that LPG remains an important fuel in rural areas in Poland. 49% of respondents living in rural areas confirm that they happened to use LPG - compared to 36-37% for residents of small and medium-sized cities and 33% for residents of metropolitan areas. Among LPG users in the countryside, 48% used LPG in the form of autogas, and as much as 52% for food preparation: significantly more than among urban residents. The potential of this fuel can therefore be fully exploited right there - in poorly urbanized and peripheral areas with limited access to infrastructure, where the percentage of the population at risk of poverty and energy exclusion is highest, according to European Commission data.

Three generations: from cooking to autogas

Perceptions of LPG vary significantly depending on the age of respondents. The youngest respondents, aged up to 24, know the least about LPG and are the least likely to use it - only 34% have ever had contact with LPG. Many are afraid of gas: as many as 19% doubt that LPG is safe as long as service recommendations are followed. The youngest adults are most interested in electric technologies: they most often indicate that they would like to heat their future home with solar panels, a heat pump or an electric boiler.

Adults between the ages of 25 and 44 are much more pragmatic. They are the most likely among the general population to drive on autogas (24% of respondents) and identify LPG primarily with diesel fuel. They are primarily guided by price in their purchase choices, and it is this aspect of LPG that they point to most often-41-47% of fuel users indicate that it is because of the cost of fuel that they chose LPG. Two-thirds of the respondents in this group confirm the widespread availability of autogas - the highest among all Poles.

The oldest Poles use LPG just as often (43% of respondents), but by far the most often in the kitchen - as many as 55% of LPG users have recently cooked with a cylinder. In addition to cost, they value convenience in LPG (33%). They rate very highly the value of LPG in the fight against smog - 58% indicate that replacing their heating with a gas boiler helps improve air quality, and 54% declare the same about autogas. Most of all age groups rate the gas installation as safe, with as many as 65% of those surveyed saying so.

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LPG an eco-friendly fuel

Respondents appreciate the importance of LPG as a green energy carrier. Of those who have had contact with LPG, 53% of respondents consider LPG to be an environmentally friendly fuel (9% have the opposite opinion). Also, 53% of users believe that replacing coal stoves with gas boilers contributes to improving air quality and reducing smog (9% believe it does not), and 5% believe that the use of autogas in cars has such an effect (8% disagree). As many as 61% of LPG users agree that LPG is a good solution for areas where there is no access to gas pipelines or district heating.

Proportional to the number of cars registered in Poland, 13% of respondents use an LPG-powered car, and 60% are familiar with autogas. After electricity, it is the most widely recognized alternative fuel, although Poles are not necessarily aware that LPG is recognized as such.

Thus, the positive perception of LPG as an alternative energy source among the Polish population is confirmed. LPG is a cleaner fuel compared to coal or road-based liquid fuels, emitting fewer pollutants and reducing the overall carbon footprint. By reducing the release of substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, all of which are harmful to human health, the use of LPG contributes to reducing smog, which is one of the biggest civilization problems in smaller cities and suburban areas.

The survey results reflect a growing consensus among the Polish public on the benefits of using LPG as an alternative to traditional fuels. It is encouraging that most respondents recognize its positive impact on air quality and are willing to use this cleaner and greener energy source.

The full report can be downloaded on the study's website.