The road biofuel Superethanol-E85 experienced last year in France a record growth in its volumes sold (+ 85%) and saw its distribution network grow by a third, according to figures from the sector published on Tuesday.
With 34 million liters, this fuel, which contains up to 85% bioethanol from the fermentation of beets and cereals, still only represents 3% of the gasoline market on a market dominated by 77% by diesel.
According to the Collective of bioethanol, which brings together producers (Association of beets and sugar, Union of producers of agricultural alcohol), the distribution network includes 1,740 service stations, or in 19% of stations in France.
Very few Flex fuel cars
To explain this growth, professionals advance the price of 0.69 euros per liter at the pump on average with 50% of CO2 emissions and 90% less particles compared to fossil fuels.
The catch is that the automotive market outside of Ford offers very few Flex fuel cars. The only solution? It is possible to convert your car to superethanol with approved boxes sold between 500 and 1000 euros.
It is important to know that biofuel cars consume almost 25% more than a conventional thermal car. And this must be taken into account by potential buyers to calculate their petrol station.
Another concern. In some countries, such as Brazil, the development of agrofuels has taken a significant hold on plots intended for “conventional” agriculture.
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In France, agricultural areas do not exceed 3% which has a negligible impact on agriculture.
Except that biofuel producers could use palm oil to lower their bills. And there, it is enough to see the raising of shields against the refinery of the Mede of Total near Marseilles which had been authorized to import 650,000 tons per year of palm oil.
Aviation must also develop biofuels
In aviation, too, the development of the use of biofuels should make it possible to reduce CO2 emissions. This was the objective posted on Monday in Toulouse by the Minister for the Ecological Transition, Elisabeth Borne.
Currently, regulations allow up to 50% biokerosene in aircraft tanks. But only 15 million liters made from rapeseed oil, palm oil or animal fats are released from refineries each year, ie… less than 0.1% of world aviation consumption.
The reason ? Aviation biofuels today cost three times more to produce than kerosene of fossil origin. Incorporating 15% of bio fuel in kerosene would increase the price of a plane ticket between London and New York by 10 dollars.