Business · Energy & Commodities · 16 hrs ago
German minister pushes for E20 petrol as EU debates 2035 car rules
German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger says he is working with his French counterpart to increase biofuel blends in petrol, including E20 at filling stations.
E20 can contain up to 20% bioethanol, compared with the current 10% maximum allowed by fuel standards.
The fuel is being tested in a closed fleet in Mannheim, but selling it to drivers would first require a change to the standards.
The proposal comes as Germany and France seek to loosen the EU’s planned 2035 rules for new cars.
Those rules require new cars to emit no carbon dioxide while being driven, and the European Commission has proposed allowing some new combustion-engine cars after 2035.
That proposal still needs approval from EU governments and the European Parliament before it can take effect.
Bilger says renewable fuels could help reduce emissions while allowing combustion-engine cars to remain in use.
German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger said he is pushing for E20 petrol, which can contain up to 20% bioethanol.
He said he is working with his French counterpart to increase the share of biofuels in petrol.
E20 is being tested in a closed fleet trial in Mannheim, but current fuel standards allow a maximum ethanol share of 10%.
The proposal comes amid German and French efforts to loosen the EU’s planned 2035 restrictions on new cars with combustion engines.
The European Commission has proposed allowing some new combustion-engine cars after 2035, and EU member states and the European Parliament are considering the plan.
- Who
- German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger is advocating E20. He said he is working with his French counterpart.
- What
- Bilger is pushing for petrol with up to 20% bioethanol.
- When
- He made the comments on 17 October 2026. E20 was already being tested, according to the articles.
- Where
- The proposal concerns fuel pumps in Germany. E20 is being tested in Mannheim.
- Why
- Bilger says increasing biofuel blending can contribute to climate protection, amid debate over the EU’s 2035 car rules.
Volkswagen
VDA
Assessment of the German-French proposal
Volkswagen
Volkswagen called it a strong signal for Europe and said it offered useful flexibility in CO2 rules.
VDA
VDA president Hildegard Müller said the agreement still fell short of necessary changes and that further discussion and adjustments were needed.
EU member states and the European Parliament agreed that new cars in the EU would have to emit no CO2 while in operation from 2035.
The European Commission proposed continuing to allow new cars with combustion engines.
The ADAC said E20 was being tested in Mannheim as part of a closed fleet trial.
Bilger said he was working with his French counterpart to increase biofuel blending and cited E20 as an option.
- Bioethanol share in E20
- Up to 20%
- Current maximum under fuel standard
- 10% ethanol
- E20 test location
- Mannheim
- EU target year for new-car CO2 rules
- 2035
- EU agreement on the rules
- 2022
3 sources
What people are saying
There would be, for example, E20 at the pumps.
The ban on combustion engines is then history.
The proposal from Berlin and Paris is a big deal.
In the negotiations in the Council and Parliament, there is therefore a need for further discussion and adjustments.