Regarding the deployment of bio-gasoline, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that previously, the consumption of E5 gasoline used to reach about 40% market share. However, it has now decreased to about 15 - 20%. The reason is due to low price differences and consumer psychology.
From the above lessons, the Ministry of Industry and Trade emphasized that there needs to be strong enough policies, prices must have clear differences, and the media plays an important role in the implementation process.
Regarding the current situation of deploying bio-gasoline fuel, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that with an average gasoline consumption of about 1 million m3/month, of which about 15% is E5RON92 and 85% is E10RON95, the total demand for ethanol (E100) for blending bio-gasoline is from 92,000 - 100,000 m3/month.
Currently, the E100 production capacity of domestic factories includes Dong Nai 6,000 m3/month, Quang Nam 8,000 m3/month, Dak To 5,000 m3/month, of which 3,000 m3 may be reserved for blending bio-gasoline.
Dung Quat E100 plant has just resumed production, according to the plan, it will gradually increase and run at full capacity in April 2026 to reach about 8,000 m3/month. Thus, from April 2026, the amount of E100 produced domestically will reach about 25,000 m3/month.
According to the plan, when there is demand, E100 plants in Dong Nai, Quang Nam and Dung Quat can increase capacity to 9,000 m3/month. The time to supplement equipment and increase capacity is about 1 year, when the total E100 output in the country reaches about 30,000 m3/month.
In addition, two E100 plants in Binh Phuoc with a capacity of 8,000 m3/month and Dak Nong with a capacity of 6,000 m3/month are in the process of restructuring and perfecting techniques to restore production. After the plants increase their capacity and restore operations, the total E100 capacity in the country reaches about 44,000 m3/month.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam currently has 6 E100 plants with a total designed capacity of about 500,000 - 600,000 m3/year. However, the actual capacity only reaches about 30 - 40%.
Regarding imports, currently and at least in the next 1 year, E100 needs to be imported to meet the blending of E5 and E10 gasoline by about 75,000 m3/month.
As of March 31, 2026, PVOIL has a contract to purchase 19,000 m3 of E100, receiving goods in early April 2026. Petrolimex has signed a contract to purchase about 40,000 m3 of E100, receiving goods before April 15, 2026. Anh Phat Company has 200 m3. The remaining key enterprises are still waiting to be licensed for mixing stations and monitor price movements, so they have not signed contracts to create ethanol sources.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, by April 15, 2026, the amount of E100, including domestic production and imports to Vietnam, will reach about 84,000 m3. To deploy E5 and E10 gasoline nationwide from April 2026, the amount of E100 is still short of about 10,000 - 15,000 m3, which needs to be additionally imported immediately in April. In the following months, businesses must develop an average import plan of 75,000 m3/month.
Regarding mixing infrastructure, as of March 31, 2026, the whole country has 12/26 key traders investing in E5 and E10 mixing stations.
In addition, Petrolimex and PVOIL are applying for additional E10 blending stations in April with capacity of 100,000 m3/month and 90,000 m3/month respectively. According to the plan, by the end of April 2026, the blending and blending capacity of E10 gasoline licensed will reach about 890,000 m3/month.
Binh Son Oil Refinery can also mix E5 and E10 gasoline when requested.
In addition, there are 9 enterprises waiting to be granted licenses to blend and mix E10 gasoline with a total capacity of 260,300 m3/month, including Thanh Le Company 70,000 m3, Petimex 30,000 m3, Military Petroleum Corporation 30,000 m3, Hai Linh Company 30,000 m3, Anh Phat Company 70,000 m3, Nam Phuc Company 2,000 m3, Hoa Khanh Company 8,300 m3, Nam Song Hau Company 15,000 m3 and Petro Binh Minh Company 5,000 m3.
After these enterprises are licensed, the total blending and mixing capacity reaches about 1,150. 300 m3/month.
The remaining key traders have not yet invested or are completing techniques and procedures to apply for operating licenses for the mixing station.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, basically no additional tank investment is required because it is only a conversion from RON95 mineral gasoline to E10RON95 bio-gasoline. However, businesses must renovate and upgrade the tank system to suit the characteristics of E10 gasoline.
At the time of switching to E10 gasoline, businesses can pump out all remaining mineral gasoline, wash all tanks to switch to E10, although it takes time and costs, but ensures the correct quality of E10 gasoline.
In case of adding E10 gasoline to a tank with mineral gasoline residue, on average about 20% of the tank volume, it will not take time and cost, but in the initial stage of about 15 days, the quality of gasoline and E100 content will not meet technical standards.
