Regarding the roadmap for using E10 gasoline that will be applied from June 1, 2026, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan affirmed that the implementation of the roadmap for using bio-gasoline is not an imposed decision or aimed at restricting people's choice, but stems from the requirements of sustainable development, ensuring energy security, environmental protection and implementing Vietnam's international commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said that E10 bio-gasoline has been researched, tested and evaluated to be suitable for most vehicles currently in circulation. The use of E10 gasoline not only helps reduce emissions into the environment but also contributes to reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, promoting domestic consumption of bio-fuels, creating output for agricultural production and improving national energy self-sufficiency.
The transition roadmap is built step by step, with careful impact assessment, not implemented abruptly. In the process of implementation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to coordinate with ministries, sectors, and businesses to ensure stable supply, fuel quality, consumer rights and especially, the Ministry will also continue to provide more transparent information for people to feel secure in using," Deputy Minister Tan affirmed.
Regarding some information on the internet that using E10 gasoline makes the engine hotter, on the expert's side, Mr. Do Van Tuan - Chairman of the Vietnam Biofuel Association said that this is mainly a subjective assessment and has no clear scientific basis.
In fact, it is very difficult for a motorcyclist or car driver to accurately feel the temperature difference of the engine during normal operation. Therefore, the perception that the engine is hotter is almost unfounded to confirm.
Regarding the opinion that E10 gasoline makes cars consume more fuel, this can theoretically happen. The reason is that the thermal energy that E10 gasoline creates is about 3% lower than mineral gasoline. However, this difference is quite small and in fact it is very difficult for users to clearly feel the increased fuel consumption at 3%.
In the opposite direction, E10 gasoline has a higher octane index than RON95 mineral gasoline, helping the engine operate more stably. A stable engine also contributes to optimal performance and fuel economy. Therefore, it is very difficult to confirm that the actual fuel consumption will be significantly different when using E10 gasoline," Mr. Tuan analyzed.
According to Mr. Do Van Tuan, in theory, E10 gasoline can cause fuel consumption to increase by about 3%, but in actual use conditions, this difference is almost difficult to clearly recognize.
Mr. Dao Duy Anh - Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that in the process of building the biofuel roadmap, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has conducted surveys and assessments on the potential impact of E5 and E10 biofuel on operating performance as well as engine life.
The evaluation results of scientists at Hanoi University of Science and Technology and the University of Transport show that E5 and E10 gasoline have almost no significant negative impact on operating performance as well as the lifespan of machine parts for gasoline engines.
Notably, Vietnam has been using E5 gasoline nationwide since 2018, and E10 is being piloted from August 2025. However, to date, distribution businesses as well as the Ministry of Industry and Trade have not received any feedback on whether E5 or E10 negatively affects operating performance or engine life.
International experience also shows that biofuels have been used very early. The US and Brazil have used E10 gasoline since the 1980s. In Southeast Asia, Thailand and the Philippines are now using E15, even increasing to E20 without recording significant negative impacts on vehicle engines.
