Internal memo

New low-cost fuel planned: E20 is coming

So far, the eco-fuel is available at only a few gas stations in Germany. Now, the low-cost fuel could be introduced across Europe.(Bild: APA/FLORIAN WIESER)

Hope in the fight against high fuel prices: The European Commission is currently examining the introduction of a new low-cost fuel. E20, with a 20 percent bioethanol content, is expected to provide relief—but this requires an amendment to existing EU directives.

According to the German newspaper “Bild,” three CDU members of the European Parliament, experts in the fields of energy, climate, and transportation, have received a letter from the Commission President. Von der Leyen wrote to MEPs Peter Liese (60), Jens Gieseke (54), and Norbert Lins (48), who have long been advocates for E20.

Cheap fuel across Europe
A success across the board. Because: So far, the eco-fuel is only available at a few gas stations in Germany. Now the affordable fuel could be introduced across Europe.

Climate policy expert Peter Liese (EPP) told BILD: “Biofuels are the way to lower fuel costs. This can happen immediately and without new infrastructure. It’s a concrete contribution to climate protection that directly affects millions of Europeans.”

Debate on Biofuels
The energy crisis has sparked debates on many levels about better use of biofuels. This concerns not only premium gasoline but also diesel. Rapeseed oil, in particular, is coming into focus as an alternative and domestically produced fuel.

According to experts cited by the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,” rapeseed oil fuel comes close to diesel in quality. While rapeseed oil has a slightly lower energy content per liter than diesel, it is considered nearly equivalent due to its higher density. And: In principle, diesel engines could also burn vegetable oil.