Vietnam to accelerate E10 biofuel roll-out from April to curb gasoline use

The move brings forward a previously approved roadmap by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which had set June 1, 2026 as the target for fully replacing mineral gasoline with E10.

E10 is a gasoline blend containing 10 percent ethanol, used as an alternative to conventional mineral fuels.

Major fuel distributors said they are preparing infrastructure and supply to support the transition.

Petrolimex said E10 RON95-III is being piloted at 60 fuel stations in Ho Chi Minh City and Quang Ngai, with average daily supply at about 95 cubic meters, up around 40 percent from initial roll-out levels, and plans to replace mineral gasoline across its system in April through a phased transition.

PVOIL said it has upgraded storage tanks, blending facilities and laboratories, and will begin tank cleaning in April to prepare for full-scale E10 distribution.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade estimates Vietnam’s gasoline consumption at about 11.37 million cubic meters in 2025, implying ethanol demand of roughly 1.1 million cubic meters under E10 blending.

Domestic ethanol production could meet about 40 percent of demand if all six plants operate at full capacity, leaving around 60 percent to be imported, mainly from the United States and Brazil as well as regional hubs such as South Korea and Singapore.

Authorities said they are coordinating with businesses to secure ethanol imports and revive idle domestic plants to support supply during the transition.

According to industry representatives, the shift to biofuel would help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support emissions reduction goals, while also creating demand for agricultural feedstock such as cassava and corn.

Officials are also considering measures to ease implementation, including allowing companies to outsource fuel testing services, as some firms face high costs for laboratory investment.