Vietnam is preparing to deploy the mandatory use of E10 bio-gasoline nationwide from June 1, 2026.
Many consumers are still wondering whether this new fuel affects motorcycle and car engines or not?
On their information pages, many major car manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Ford affirm that E10 biofuel does not harm the engine.
Conversely, E10 also has a higher octane value, helping the engine operate more efficiently and reducing detonation.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Dr. Khuong Kim Tao - former Deputy Chief of Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee - said that for the car engine to operate stably, gasoline must have additives.
Previously, lead was commonly used to increase anti-detonation capabilities.
However, lead is a toxic substance, seriously affecting the environment and human health.
Therefore, the fuel industry is forced to look for more environmentally friendly alternatives.
According to Dr. Khuong Kim Tao, in theory, bio-gasoline with ethanol content is a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gasoline, while still meeting the technical requirements of the engine.
According to information from the Ministry of Construction, bio-gasoline, also known as gasohol or biogasoline, is a type of fuel created by mixing anhydrous ethanol with ordinary gasoline in a certain ratio.
In which, E10 is a type of gasoline containing 10% ethanol. Mixtures from E5 to E25 are considered low ethanol gasoline, while from E30 to E85 are high ethanol. E100 is pure ethanol.
It is called bio-gasoline because ethanol used for blending is produced through the fermentation of organic materials such as corn, wheat, soybeans, sugarcane, cassava or bio-cellulose.
In essence, ethanol is ethyl alcohol, a familiar form of alcohol in human life, but when treated into anhydrous ethanol, it will become an additive or fuel for engines.
The most important role of ethanol is to replace lead additives in gasoline. Unlike many other additives, ethanol itself can be considered as a type of fuel with an octane index of up to 109, while ordinary gasoline without additives is only about 70, and A92 gasoline is 92.
The higher the octane index, the better the fuel compressiveness before being burned, thereby limiting the phenomenon of early self-detonation in the cylinder - a cause that can damage the engine.
This means that with a low blending ratio like E10, ethanol does not damage the engine but also helps gasoline have better anti-detonation ability, improving combustion efficiency.
This is also the reason why many major car manufacturers and global technical organizations confirm that E10 is safe for current car lines.
In the world, biofuel is not a new trend. The United States has used E10 since the 1980s and has now developed E85 for blended fuel vehicles (FFVs).
The Philippines and Thailand are also popularizing E15, and plan to upgrade to E20 from 2026. Vietnam's current deployment of E10 is considered a step to catch up with the global trend of energy transition.
Leaders of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that E10 is only the starting step, the management agency will continue to study the roadmap E15, E20 or higher to increase national energy autonomy.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, promoting bio-gasoline brings 4 major benefits. First of all, ethanol is produced from renewable raw materials such as cassava, corn, and sugarcane, helping to reduce dependence on imported mineral gasoline.
The second is the environmental benefit when bioethanol can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transportation from about 37% to 84% depending on the conditions of each country.
Third is improving public health through reducing air pollution, limiting respiratory diseases and medical costs.
Finally, there is the technical benefit when E10 protects the engine better thanks to the high octane value.
In the context of increasing energy prices, fuel security and emission reduction pressure, switching to E10 gasoline is not simply changing the type of gasoline being used.
This is also an important step towards greener transportation, reduced pollution and more sustainable.
