Still in its infancy in Germany and newly on the agenda across Europe: E20–the gasoline blend with a 20 percent bioethanol content. Especially in an era of rising fuel prices, higher ethanol blends could offer real relief for drivers.
E20 promises a range of advantages for the mobility of the future:
- CO₂ emissions in the transport sector are reduced immediately,as the biomass used to produce bioethanol only releases as much CO₂ during combustion as the plants absorbed from the atmosphere during their growth phase.
- The bioethanol share is not subject to carbon pricing, making E20 comparatively cost-effective.
- Automotive experts see positive combustion properties in modern engines–particularly thanks to ethanol’s high knock resistance.
- Many modern vehicles–from manufacturers such as VW, BMW, and Mercedes—have been proven in tests to be compatible with E20. With these manufacturer approvals in place, there’s no practical barrier to rolling out the new fuel.
Early trials are already underway in Germany, confirming E20’s real-world suitability. These tests demonstrate that E20 can be used in everyday driving without any restrictions. Following the first location in Mannheim, a second E20 filling station recently opened in Gießen, where closed fleets can refuel on a trial basis. Due to pending regulatory adaptations, E20 cannot yet be sold freely at public pumps in Germany.
Recent endeavors by the EU Commission could accelerate E20’s rollout. Brussels is actively exploring the introduction of E20 fuel with an eye on both transport sector climate targets and reducing pump prices for consumers–a topic that has taken on added significance against the backdrop of the war involving Iran.
To free up space at the pump for the new fuel, Germany is debating whether to abolish the mandatory requirement to offer E5-currently a “protected grade”. A study by Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar) found that only 0.1 percent of the kilometers driven by gasoline-powered vehicles in Germany still require E5. Conversely, this means nearly 100 percent of petrol cars are now compatible with E10. Consequently, E5 no longer needs to be universally available at German filling stations–a solid foundation for introducing E20 as the next step towards climate-friendly mobility, without having to phase out the internal combustion engine.
And it’s worth remembering: E20 is far from a stranger on the global stage. In countries like India, Thailand, Brazil, and the United States, gasoline blended with higher bioethanol ratios has, in some cases, been used at the pumps for. It’s high time for Europeand Germanyto follow suit.