German biofuels association MVaK is calling for wider adoption of B10 diesel, arguing that a higher biodiesel blend would help lower fuel costs, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen energy security at a time of ongoing pressure on global diesel supplies.
The organisation says motorists could have saved around €2 per tankful this year if B10, a diesel fuel containing up to 10% biodiesel, had been more widely available across Germany. Based on a typical 65-litre fill-up, B10 could at times have been sold for up to three euro cents per litre less than the standard B7 blend, which contains up to 7% biodiesel.
The comments come as governments on both sides of the Atlantic seek solutions to tight diesel markets. While emergency measures, including the release of strategic fuel reserves, can provide temporary relief, MVaK argues that increasing the share of domestically produced renewable fuels offers a more sustainable long-term solution.
The association highlighted recent support from Emmanuel Macron, who urged the European Commission to encourage a shift from B7 to B10 diesel. According to MVaK, increasing biodiesel content would reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels while easing supply pressures and helping to moderate prices at the pump.
The group noted that the European Union already regards B10 as the future standard diesel grade.
However, it argues that German regulations governing fuel grade availability continue to restrict its widespread introduction at public filling stations.
Detlef Evers, managing director of MVaK, said reform of these rules could deliver benefits for consumers, climate protection and energy security simultaneously. He pointed to Italy's more flexible approach, which requires only a proportion of service stations to continue offering B7.
Germany currently has the capacity to produce more than four million tonnes of biodiesel annually, according to the association. MVaK argues that greater domestic use of this renewable fuel would reduce the need for exports while helping to curb diesel costs, lower transport emissions and improve national energy resilience.
The association added that commercial vehicle fleets can achieve even greater savings by using B100, or pure biodiesel, which is currently around €0.30 per litre cheaper than conventional diesel.
Biodiesel boost could cut fuel bills and strengthen energy security, says MVaK
