Vietnam prepares nationwide launch of E10 biofuel from 1 June

Vietnam is accelerating preparations for the nationwide introduction of E10 biofuel from 1 June, as energy authorities and domestic refineries move to secure sufficient supply, upgrade infrastructure and strengthen technical capacity for the new fuel blend.

Under the roadmap, E10 petrol – containing 10 per cent ethanol – will be distributed across the country, marking a significant step in Vietnam’s strategy to promote cleaner fuels and reduce emissions.

According to the Vietnam Biofuels Association, the country currently operates six fuel ethanol plants with a combined designed capacity of around 600,000 cubic metres per year. This would cover only about 40 per cent of the estimated 1.5 million cubic metres required annually for full-scale E10 production.

The nationwide rollout is therefore expected to substantially increase demand for ethanol at a time when domestic feedstock supply remains unstable, as reported by VNA, a partner of TV BRICS.

Experts have called for a broader approach to ethanol production in order to ease pressure on land resources and enhance value creation in rural areas.

Major refineries have begun upgrading blending systems and storage facilities in preparation for higher ethanol volumes.

Across the country, fuel distributors have also reviewed storage tanks, blending equipment and quality control systems in line with national technical standards. Several biofuel blending depots are already operational, with total annual processing capacity exceeding 6 million cubic metres.