While fossil fuel prices are increasing sharply at French gas stations, superethanol-E85, mostly made from vegetable raw materials, has been showing a more stable price than fossil fuels for several years.
Biofuels appear as one of the levers to fight against the oil crisis.
A fuel less exposed to oil price fluctuations
Bioethanol is incorporated into gasoline in France, either pure or as a blend, up to 7.5% (with a maximum of 5% pure ethanol) in SP95 and SP98 and up to 10% in SP95-E10.
Superethanol-E85 contains between 60% and 85% bioethanol produced from vegetable raw materials (sugar beets, cereals), with the rest being unleaded gasoline. This composition, with a minority gasoline component, partly explains why its price is less sensitive to the abrupt variations in the global oil market during the oil crisis.
European Energy Commissioner Jorgensen highlighted in a letter sent on March 31 to the Energy Ministers of the EU Member States that, among other measures aimed at combating the oil crisis, “increasing the use of biofuels could help replace fossil oil products and ease the pressure on the market” (Commission calls on EU countries to coordinate measures to ensure oil security of supply amid Middle East energy disruption – European Commission).
Significant daily savings
The average weighted price of E85 published weekly by the General Directorate of Energy and Climate (DGEC) was 0.75 euros per liter on Friday, February 27, 2026, and 0.78 euros per liter on Friday, March 27, 2026.
In 2025, with an average pump price of 0.73 euros per liter, nearly 1 euro less than SP95-E10 (1.69 euros per liter), drivers using bioethanol saved 705 euros per year for 13,000 km traveled compared to SP95-E10, and 1,085 euros for 20,000 km taking into account the high assumption of 25% overconsumption (with a consumption of 7 liters of SP95-E10 per 100 km).
As a reminder, to use Superethanol-E85, available in over 40% of gas stations in France, it is necessary to have a new flex-E85 vehicle (Ford Kuga FHEV flex-E85) or used, or to have an E85 conversion kit installed (approved by the State) on your gasoline car (the vast majority of gasoline models put into circulation since 2001 are compatible).
