German E10 sales rise as overall gasoline sales fall

German E10 fuel sales rose to approximately 2.7 million tons in 2012, according to Bafa, up significantly from sales of around 1.8 million tons a year earlier.

Year-on-year sales of E85 - gasoline containing 85 % ethanol - rose by 6 % last year, while overall sales of bioethanol used in E10, E85 and ETBE gasoline blends grew by 1.4 % to 1.25 million tons.

Despite the higher sales, E10 has yet to capture a significant portion of the German fuels market since its introduction at the beginning of 2011.

E10 consumption only accelerated in the second half of 2011, after meeting initial customer reluctance based on motorist fears surrounding engine compatibility and doubts concerning the fuel's environmental credentials.

ExxonMobil filling station operator Esso recently stated that E10 is “nowhere near” becoming the standard fuel in Germany, accounting for 15-20 % of its gasoline sales. BP's German filling station unit Aral - which runs Germany's largest network of filling stations at around 12,000 - puts E10's market share at around 20 %.