Given the high fuel prices resulting from the Iran war, significantly more drivers than usual have filled up with the cheaper Super E10 gasoline. The share of E10 in overall petrol sales has risen "sharply" to roughly 35 percent, the Fuels and Energy Association (en2x) announced on Friday. "And there's still more room to grow," the association said. According to en2x, the vast majority of engines tolerate the fuel grade without any problems.
A recent study carried out by the Institute for Piston Engines at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), commissioned by en2x, shows that E10 cannot be used without restriction in only about 0.7 percent of petrol-powered cars registered from 1995 onward. The study examined around 226,000 vehicles, spanning mini, compact and mid-size cars as well as SUVs, vans and off-road vehicles. In other words, more than 99 percent of cars on the road can run on E10 without any issue.
E10 refers to petrol blended with up to ten percent bioethanol, which is produced from sources such as grain or sugar beet "that are not needed for food or animal feed," according to the German Bioethanol Industry Association. Under current German law, fuel stations are also required to offer E5, which contains up to five percent bioethanol.
The bioethanol association is now calling for fuel stations to be allowed to drop E5 from their range altogether. "As in other EU member states, the legal requirement to offer Super E5 nationwide should be abolished," said the association's managing director, Stefan Walter.
"This creates room at the pump for offering further alternative fuel types." Among the fuels that could take E5's place, he suggested, is Super E20 with up to 20 percent bioethanol content, which could become available "in the medium-term future."
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
