Consumption of E85 superethanol jumped 83% last year. In a context of high fuel prices, this solution is attracting a growing number of French people.
Along with electric, it is surely one of the big winners from the recent rise in fuel prices. In 2022, consumption of superethanol E85 jumped 83%, to 854,124 cubic meters, compared to 467,698 in 2021.
6.5% of gasoline sales in 2022
A record level: the consumption of E85, still anecdotal in 2016, has continued to grow since then, as has its market share in gasoline sales, of which it remains a derivative. This fuel is in fact composed of between 60 and 85% bioethanol, and the rest 95 unleaded.
While it represented only 1.7% of gasoline sales in 2018, this rate reached 6.5% in 2022 and should be 8% in 2023, underlined the actors of the sector on the occasion of a press conference organized on 24 January.
A price difference that remains attractive
Main reason for this success, a very attractive price compared to its main competitor, the unleaded 95 E10 (56% of gasoline sales in 2022), even if we have to take into account a 25% overconsumption.
On January 20, E85 was found on average at 1.11 euros per liter in France, against 1.87 euros for 95 E10. With the recent rise in the price of superethanol, however, the gap narrowed to 0.76 cents last December, whereas it had reached 1.23 euros in June. Beyond the price difference per litre, it is also the lower volatility of E85 that can be attractive, with a curve that is much less bumpy than that of 95 E10 (graph below).
Main competitor at the pump, the E10 also remains a strong ally: the models that can run on the original E85 or thanks to the installation of a box also accept “classic” gasoline, enough to reassure potential users faced with the availability of this fuel.
However, more and more stations are offering them: 550 more in 2022, i.e. a total of 36% of the French network, compared to 30% a year earlier. With significant variations depending on the region: from 46% in Occitanie and Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, to 32% in the Grand Est.
If the availability of E85 is therefore less and less of a problem in France, this compatibility with conventional gasoline can remain interesting for refueling abroad. France remains the only European market with Sweden where this E85 fuel is widespread.
More than 300,000 compatible vehicles in France
In this context, sales of compatible vehicles (Ford and Jaguar Land Rover) have been multiplied by six in 2022 Even if volumes remain relatively low with 34,881 sales last year, this engine is becoming the main argument for certain models. At Ford, 94% of Pumas, 89% of Focuses and 77% of Kugas are sold in flex-E85 or hybrid flex-E85 versions. What also come to seek new customers:
“On a model like the Puma, we achieve 60% conquest, underlines Fabrice Devanlay”, spokesperson for Ford France.
In terms of device installations, we are close to a threefold increase, from 30,000 in 2021 to 85,000 in 2022. Despite the narrowing price gap, Alexis Landrieu, founder and CEO of Biomotors remains convinced of the advantage of this solution:
“At current prices, on a full tank of 45 liters, it takes 50 euros for E85 against 85 euros for unleaded 95 E10”.
Regional and departmental aid also makes it possible to reduce the bill for installing the box (between 700 and 1600 euros), enough to amortize this investment more quickly.
In total, the fleet of compatible vehicles therefore exceeded 300,000 units in 2022, an increase of 67% over one year.
Strong growth still expected for 2023
In a context where fuel prices should remain at high levels in the coming months, the sector is betting on a further development of E85 sales. Its market share in gasoline deliveries should thus exceed 8%.
The deployment of ZFEs could also help stimulate sales of compatible models and boxes: in Reims and Montpellier, temporary or permanent exemptions are offered for cars equipped with boxes: enough to offer a simpler and less expensive solution than a change of cars to the more than 5 million Crit’Air 2 and 3 cars affected in the short term by traffic bans.
