Paris: Ethanol consumption in France increased by around 6% in 2024, reaching 16 million hectolitres, according to Bioethanol France. The rise matched overall gasoline consumption and reaffirmed France’s position as one of Europe’s largest ethanol consumers alongside Germany, reports Reuters.
Ethanol, produced mainly from sugar beets and grains, is blended with gasoline in varying proportions, with E85 fuel containing up to 85% ethanol. However, despite the overall increase in ethanol use, E85 consumption saw its first decline since record-keeping began in 2011.
Bioethanol France Secretary General Sylvain Demoures attributed the drop to newer car models that consume less fuel than older vehicles. The shift towards more fuel-efficient cars has impacted demand for high-ethanol blends, marking a turning point in France’s ethanol consumption trends.
