Picture less pollution

Road transport is a major source of pollution.

What can we do right now?

Picture less pollution

Road transport is a major source of pollution.

What can we do right now?

Environmental challenge accepted

lt’s super easy, and you’re actually already doing it each time you fill your tank. Now just up your game and use E10 when you fill up. lnstantly you’re doing even more to remove harmful chemicals from the environment.

Ethanol is a clean burning renewable fuel. Not just in the Visegrad4 countries or the EU, it is widely used also in the US, Brazil and many other parts of the world to save the climate, improve air quality, contribute to rural development or increase energy independence.

In V4 countries

Our website presents suggested ways forward in the Visegrad4 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) and drawing on lessons learnt in the US.

It is a little-known fact in Europe that ethanol improves the air. By replacing the toxic components (aromatics), ethanol emits less particulate matter (PM) compared to petrol. In the US, this fact has long been at the center of policy-making, but the discussion in the EU and V4+ countries lags behind.

Pollution solution

The solution is in the kind of fuel you pump. Petrol in Europe has 5% or 10% ethanol in it. In the US there are higher blends with 15, 20 and 30% ethanol. When you choose higher ethanol blends, you’ll not only reduce toxic pollutants in the environment but improve engine performance.

To put it simply, ethanol reduces pollution, saves the climate and improves engine performance. It’s such an easy win for you and the environment.

Explore the benefits

Say Good-Bye to Bad Air

Using more ethanol in your car will reduce the harmful particulates coming out of your tailpipe, meaning a decrease in air pollution and the health risks associated with it, such as heart disease, asthma and cancer.

Visualize a Fatter Wallet

Ethanol saves money. It replaces more expensive fuel additives and allows the savings to be passed on to you.

Cheaper in the US

Indeed, ethanol is cheaper in the US than petrol most of the time. That is why higher ethanol blends such as E15 is demanded more and more. There are more blends in the US at the pumps to choose from, and consumers often go for the better quality and cheaper ethanol blends.

No meaningful price difference in EU

In the EU, there are limited choice at the pump. In some EU countries such as France or Germany, both E5 and E10 are available and E10 is sold at a bit lower price. In practice, the consumer will not see a real price difference at the pump.

V4 situation

In V4+ countries, either E5 (CZ, PL) or E10 (HU, SK, RO, BG, LT etc.) is available at the pump. The price of the fuel is determined by the distributor, and the consumer price is mostly determined by the price of oil and taxes.

Make Efficiency Your Friend

Ethanol is perfectly safe to use in your vehicle. Not only is ethanol safe for your car’s engine, but it also increases its performance, mileage and cleans your engine.

Engine safe

A variety of ethanol blends have been used throughout the world. In no places liability cases have taken place. The US has E10 and E15, even E20 or E30 in some places. Brazil has 27% ethanol blended into its petrol.

E10

Romania and Bulgaria have been using E10 since 2019 without any adverse effects. Those countries do not have a younger or different vehicle fleet than that of the V4 countries. Do not believe the vested interests claiming engine incompatibility issues. Hungary and Slovakia smoothly introduced E10 in Jan 2020, reaping the manifold benefits.

Octane booster

Ethanol has a high octane level. Octane is critical to improve modern engines’ performance. Higher ethanol blends can improve the performance of cars. With engine efficiency improved, the climate benefits.

The solution is in the kind of fuel you pump. Petrol in Europe has 5% or 10% ethanol in it. In the US there are higher blends with 15, 20 and 30% ethanol. When you choose higher ethanol blends, you’ll not only reduce toxic pollutants in the environment but improve engine performance.

To put it simply, ethanol reduces pollution, saves the climate and improves engine performance. It’s such an easy win for you and the environment.

Explore the benefits

Say Good-Bye to Bad Air

Using more ethanol in your car will reduce the harmful particulates coming out of your tailpipe, meaning a decrease in air pollution and the health risks associated with it, such as heart disease, asthma and cancer.

Visualize a Fatter Wallet

Ethanol saves money. It replaces more expensive fuel additives and allows the savings to be passed on to you.

Cheaper in the US

Indeed, ethanol is cheaper in the US than petrol most of the time. That is why higher ethanol blends such as E15 is demanded more and more. There are more blends in the US at the pumps to choose from, and consumers often go for the better quality and cheaper ethanol blends.

No meaningful price difference in EU

In the EU, there are limited choice at the pump. In some EU countries such as France or Germany, both E5 and E10 are available and E10 is sold at a bit lower price. In practice, the consumer will not see a real price difference at the pump.

V4 situation

In V4+ countries, either E5 (CZ, PL) or E10 (HU, SK, RO, BG, LT etc.) is available at the pump. The price of the fuel is determined by the distributor, and the consumer price is mostly determined by the price of oil and taxes.

Make Efficiency Your Friend

Ethanol is perfectly safe to use in your vehicle. Not only is ethanol safe for your car’s engine, but it also increases its performance, mileage and cleans your engine.

Engine safe

A variety of ethanol blends have been used throughout the world. In no places liability cases have taken place. The US has E10 and E15, even E20 or E30 in some places. Brazil has 27% ethanol blended into its petrol.

E10

Romania and Bulgaria have been using E10 since 2019 without any adverse effects. Those countries do not have a younger or different vehicle fleet than that of the V4 countries. Do not believe the vested interests claiming engine incompatibility issues. Hungary and Slovakia smoothly introduced E10 in Jan 2020, reaping the manifold benefits.

Octane booster

Ethanol has a high octane level. Octane is critical to improve modern engines’ performance. Higher ethanol blends can improve the performance of cars. With engine efficiency improved, the climate benefits.

Blind spots at the pump

Knowledge is power and this knowledge has the potential to change the world, one tank of gas at a time. Whenever it’s time to fill up, use what you learn on our website to inform your decision on what type of gas to put in your tank. The environment, the local economy and your engine will thank you.

In USA

In addition, you also save yourself money in the US.

See clearly

Emissions

Did you know that the more ethanol you add to petrol, the cleaner the fuel? This is because ethanol is alcohol — the same stuff that’s in a martini or beer. When you add ethanol to gas, it’s replacing the most toxic compounds in gas. These compounds are known pollutants and ethanol is a readily available and economical alternative.

Studies also show that ethanol blends can reduce toxic tailpipe emissions by up to 50 percent and reduce the most harmful emissions associated with heart disease and asthma. Additionally, data shows European bioethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 72 percent compared to petrol.

Engine safe

You may not know it, but you are already using ethanol. Nearly all petrol contains 5% (E5) or 10% (E10) ethanol in the EU. While 5% is good, 10% is even better.
E10 is the most common form of petrol sold in many parts of the world which together account for hundreds of millions of cars, including the USA, France, Germany or Thailand. In Hungary, Slovakia or Romania and Bulgaria, cars run on E10 safe. In 2012 Germany’s motoring association, ADAC carried out a search for examples of E10 compatibility incidents and found none.
You don’t have to stop there; many consumers in the US are making the switch to even higher blends like E20 and E30. Not only are these higher blends engine safe, but you won’t see a noticeable mileage difference with mid-level blends because the car can take advantage of the increased octane, improving performance and mileage.

Cost-Conscious

While there are no big differences in the prices of petrol blends in Europe and the difference is largely due to taxation specifics, a recent analysis found that blending 10 percent ethanol into gasoline saves the average US household $306 a year. Why? Because ethanol replaces more expensive fuel additives, which means more savings.

A Breath of Air

What is so toxic about our petrol? Every liter contains chemicals that are known and suspected carcinogens. About a quarter of petrol is made up of these chemicals called aromatics. The US authorities know they are dangerous and have classified aromatics as hazardous air pollutants.

What are Aromatics?

Aromatics are made up of chemicals such as benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene. They are added to fuel to boost octane.
You can tell the octane by the number you choose when selecting which gas to put in your car. Octane is needed in petrol to help with combustion in your engine.

What are the Health Risks Connected to Aromatics?

Often, aromatics that don’t fully combust in your car’s engine create dangerous tailpipe emissions. These aromatics linger in the air longer than most toxins, causing a host of health issues, including heart disease and asthma.

Ethanol vs. Aromatics

Ethanol is also a source for octane and a cleaner alternative. Ethanol can replace aromatics, which reduces emissions. The more ethanol in petrol, the fewer the aromatics. So higher blends of E10, or E20 in the future mean fewer emissions and better air quality.

Blind spots at the pump

Knowledge is power and this knowledge has the potential to change the world, one tank of gas at a time. Whenever it’s time to fill up, use what you learn on our website to inform your decision on what type of gas to put in your tank. The environment, the local economy and your engine will thank you.

In USA

In addition, you also save yourself money in the US.

See clearly

Emissions

Did you know that the more ethanol you add to petrol, the cleaner the fuel? This is because ethanol is alcohol — the same stuff that’s in a martini or beer. When you add ethanol to gas, it’s replacing the most toxic compounds in gas. These compounds are known pollutants and ethanol is a readily available and economical alternative.

Studies also show that ethanol blends can reduce toxic tailpipe emissions by up to 50 percent and reduce the most harmful emissions associated with heart disease and asthma. Additionally, data shows European bioethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 72 percent compared to petrol.

Engine safe

You may not know it, but you are already using ethanol. Nearly all petrol contains 5% (E5) or 10% (E10) ethanol in the EU. While 5% is good, 10% is even better.
E10 is the most common form of petrol sold in many parts of the world which together account for hundreds of millions of cars, including the USA, France, Germany or Thailand. In Hungary, Slovakia or Romania and Bulgaria, cars run on E10 safe. In 2012 Germany’s motoring association, ADAC carried out a search for examples of E10 compatibility incidents and found none.
You don’t have to stop there; many consumers in the US are making the switch to even higher blends like E20 and E30. Not only are these higher blends engine safe, but you won’t see a noticeable mileage difference with mid-level blends because the car can take advantage of the increased octane, improving performance and mileage.

Cost-Conscious

While there are no big differences in the prices of petrol blends in Europe and the difference is largely due to taxation specifics, a recent analysis found that blending 10 percent ethanol into gasoline saves the average US household $306 a year. Why? Because ethanol replaces more expensive fuel additives, which means more savings.

A Breath of Air

What is so toxic about our petrol? Every liter contains chemicals that are known and suspected carcinogens. About a quarter of petrol is made up of these chemicals called aromatics. The US authorities know they are dangerous and have classified aromatics as hazardous air pollutants.

What are Aromatics?

Aromatics are made up of chemicals such as benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene. They are added to fuel to boost octane.
You can tell the octane by the number you choose when selecting which gas to put in your car. Octane is needed in petrol to help with combustion in your engine.

What are the Health Risks Connected to Aromatics?

Often, aromatics that don’t fully combust in your car’s engine create dangerous tailpipe emissions. These aromatics linger in the air longer than most toxins, causing a host of health issues, including heart disease and asthma.

Ethanol vs. Aromatics

Ethanol is also a source for octane and a cleaner alternative. Ethanol can replace aromatics, which reduces emissions. The more ethanol in petrol, the fewer the aromatics. So higher blends of E10, or E20 in the future mean fewer emissions and better air quality.

Biodiesel

Just like ethanol, biodiesel produced in Europe is also better than fossil fuels. EU biodiesel produced from rapeseed and locally sourced waste brings benefits such as agricultural, energy independence and climate. None of this is true for imported biodiesel feedstocks, like palm oil.

Current position

As with ethanol, the fact is that we already use biodiesel, although many of us did not notice. In the majority of European countries, diesel named as “B7” with a 7% biodiesel content is sold at petrol stations. The 7% proportion does not seem large, but taking into account the total volume of diesel sold, it is not negligible. Thanks to its good lubricating properties and high oxygen content, biodiesel is a great addition to the fossil diesel. Generally speaking, 100% pure biodiesel might save from 50% up to 90% of GHG emissions depending on the feedstock (source: JEC Well-To-Wheels Report v5, JRC, 2020). The benefits are raising with the amount of biodiesel in the fuel blend.

Safety

Flashpoint of biodiesel is around 150°C, whereas about 52°C for petroleum diesel, which makes biodiesel more stable for handling, storage and transportation. Biodiesel in its pure unblended form causes far less damage than petroleum diesel if spilled or released to the environment. It is biodegradable and small amounts do not contaminate water.

Engine operation

The main advantage of using biodiesel is that it can be burned in existing diesel engines with little or no modifications at all. It increases cetane number, fuel lubricity and improves burning of the fuel — these make the engine operation more effective.
Biodiesel may be used in blends with fossil diesel and up to 100% of its content. We recommend to check vehicle manuals given by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to find out what blend is optimal for your car.

Use of waste materials

The majority of biodiesel is produced from oil-rich plants such as rape, soy or sunflower. However, the popularity of waste materials, such as used cooking oils (UCO) from restaurants and households, animal fats and recycled grease is rising. Technologies for their processing are developing rapidly. This creates a great opportunity for the second use of oils as well as recycling of these great material streams. The origin of UCO must be closely monitored due to the reason it often becomes the object of frauds with the use of palm oil. European biodiesel producers are well aware of this problem and make considerable efforts to verify the origin of UCO with the help of verification mechanisms.

Dependence on crude oil

Using biodiesel and other alternative fuels helps to strengthen energy security and to keep revenues in the country rather than paying for the import of fuels. Moreover, biodiesel brings opportunities for employment in agriculture and industry. Biodiesel has helped several countries in reducing their dependence on foreign oil reserves as it is mostly domestically produced.

Biodiesel

Just like ethanol, biodiesel produced in Europe is also better than fossil fuels. EU biodiesel produced from rapeseed and locally sourced waste brings benefits such as agricultural, energy independence and climate. None of this is true for imported biodiesel feedstocks, like palm oil.

Current position

As with ethanol, the fact is that we already use biodiesel, although many of us did not notice. In the majority of European countries, diesel named as “B7” with a 7% biodiesel content is sold at petrol stations. The 7% proportion does not seem large, but taking into account the total volume of diesel sold, it is not negligible. Thanks to its good lubricating properties and high oxygen content, biodiesel is a great addition to the fossil diesel. Generally speaking, 100% pure biodiesel might save from 50% up to 90% of GHG emissions depending on the feedstock (source: JEC Well-To-Wheels Report v5, JRC, 2020). The benefits are raising with the amount of biodiesel in the fuel blend.

Safety

Flashpoint of biodiesel is around 150°C, whereas about 52°C for petroleum diesel, which makes biodiesel more stable for handling, storage and transportation. Biodiesel in its pure unblended form causes far less damage than petroleum diesel if spilled or released to the environment. It is biodegradable and small amounts do not contaminate water.

Engine operation

The main advantage of using biodiesel is that it can be burned in existing diesel engines with little or no modifications at all. It increases cetane number, fuel lubricity and improves burning of the fuel — these make the engine operation more effective.
Biodiesel may be used in blends with fossil diesel and up to 100% of its content. We recommend to check vehicle manuals given by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to find out what blend is optimal for your car.

Use of waste materials

The majority of biodiesel is produced from oil-rich plants such as rape, soy or sunflower. However, the popularity of waste materials, such as used cooking oils (UCO) from restaurants and households, animal fats and recycled grease is rising. Technologies for their processing are developing rapidly. This creates a great opportunity for the second use of oils as well as recycling of these great material streams. The origin of UCO must be closely monitored due to the reason it often becomes the object of frauds with the use of palm oil. European biodiesel producers are well aware of this problem and make considerable efforts to verify the origin of UCO with the help of verification mechanisms.

Dependence on crude oil

Using biodiesel and other alternative fuels helps to strengthen energy security and to keep revenues in the country rather than paying for the import of fuels. Moreover, biodiesel brings opportunities for employment in agriculture and industry. Biodiesel has helped several countries in reducing their dependence on foreign oil reserves as it is mostly domestically produced.

Take action

We’ve come a long way in the last 20 years improving the quality of our air. Blue skies, birds chirping, beautiful sunsets — all the things we love about our earth. How can we be sure all this beauty will be around in another 20 years?
We can each positively impact our environment by pumping higher blends of ethanol into our cars.

In V4 countries

If available, use E10 and ask for availability of higher blends such as E20. Otherwise, ask your government to introduce E10 in your country.

In USA

In the US, up to 30 percent ethanol or E30 is safe for use. Open the door to some ethanol blend basics so you know what to expect at the pump in the US. Learn more
Learn more about what they do in the US to improve air quality one tank of gas at a time. Join the community to receive continued information about the movement we are creating.