Most petrol car drivers could also fill up with the cheaper Super E10 - but they don't.

When Germans fill up with gasoline, they usually fill up with Super E5. But that's set to change, according to ADAC President Christian Reinicke: "Policymakers should promote the use of Super E10," he demands. Cars built since 2011 can easily use this type of fuel – which can contain up to ten percent biofuel – according to him. "Nevertheless, when in doubt, many people unnecessarily fill up with the more expensive and climate-damaging Super E5."

Currently, gas stations are required to offer E5, which contains a maximum of five percent biofuel. "That no longer makes sense," Reinicke criticizes. "As a first step, this requirement should therefore be transferred to Super E10. And if that isn't enough, we will have to consider further, perhaps more stringent, steps." Reinicke doesn't say whether that would include a ban – but doesn't explicitly rule it out either. "It's also about other, more climate-friendly alternatives that need to be accommodated at gas stations and accepted by consumers."

Last year, according to figures from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control, E5 accounted for 67.5 percent of domestic gasoline deliveries, which almost accurately reflects fuel sales in Germany. E10 was at 27.4 percent, and Super Plus at just over 5.1 percent. This means that the E10 share is growing only minimally: in 2023, it was at 26.4 percent.

In previous years, it had seemed as if E10 might slowly gain acceptance. Among other things, the extremely high fuel prices in 2022 had caused the share of this fuel, often six cents cheaper, to rise. In 2020, it had been at 13.9 percent.

Reinicke sees countries like Austria as a model. There, too, there is no longer an obligation to offer E5 – "and there are no problems there either."

In his argument against the requirement, Reinicke agrees with the gas station operators. "Since the E5 gasoline fuel type is no longer relevant from an engine technology perspective, it's time for a market economy in fuel sales," says the Federal Association of Independent Gas Stations (bft), for example. "Gas stations and customers must decide which product they want. Furthermore, given the CO2 savings, politicians should have a genuine interest in E10," says Managing Director Daniel Kaddik, assuring: "Gas stations where E5 continues to be in high demand will certainly continue to sell E5. No one needs to worry about that."

The bft is also concerned with making room for fuels like HVO – a renewable diesel. "The E5 diesel grade ties up tank capacity and requires massive investments if HVO is to be introduced."

The Fuels and Energy trade association, which represents major players in the petroleum industry, including major branded gas station chains, also supports the elimination of the requirement to offer E5. This "would give gas station operators greater flexibility to respond to changing customer needs and offer innovative and climate-friendly fuels in the future," it recently stated. The vast majority of vehicles could easily refuel with Super E10.