10 questions about Superethanol-E85: the fuel that allows you to be really cheaper

A liter of fuel at € 0.69?This price displayed at the service station may have challenged you in recent days.Cheap and far from the outbreak of Sans-Plomb 95, Sans-Plomb 98 and diesel.This is the price of Superethanol-E85: a fuel composed of bioethanol between 60 and 85% and gasoline without-lombs 95.

Reading the motorist forums devoted to the Internet, Superethanol-E85 has almost only advantages: cheap, less polluting, from French agriculture.The downside that comes up most often: Superethanol-E85 vehicles consume more.

With the outbreak of fuel prices, Superethanol-E85 is on the rise.This is confirmed by David Betton, a mechanic in Villematier in Haute-Garonne.Before the price increase, he rose kits to equip Superethanol vehicles on five cars per month.Today is fifteen vehicles per month."The goal of people is first of all to save money. We make a direct saving of one euro per liter. But also to pollute less and to have the Crit'Air sticker that will descend.There is no age, employees, 20 -year -olds or retirees who want to shorten their fuel budget, "explains the mechanic.For David Betton, "ethanol is the only real solution to be able to have a change in habits on the automobile. A family that has a small budget and that wants to run clean, they cannot buy a hybrid, it's notPossible, nor an electric with which you only make 300 terminals ".

1-Why is Superethanol-E85 cheaper?

At € 0.69 per liter, Superethanol-E85 displays an unbeatable price.Almost a euro less in liters than the super---lock!This fuel is not imported, it comes from the production of French farmers.And above all, it is not struck by the TICPE (internal consumption tax on energy products), the state tax which seals the price of full gasoline.

2 - What cars can go to Superethanol?

The vast majority of used petrol vehicles can drive to Superethanol-E85.The vehicle category must be at least Euro3 (commissioning on January 1, 2001).

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3 - How much does it cost to go to Superethanol?

To be able to drive to Superethanol-E85, it is necessary to install a box in your engine.Four brands of approved boxes exist on the market: FlexFuel, Biomotors, Borel and EflexFuel.Two models are available according to the type of injection of your vehicle.They are sold between € 500 and € 800.With the installation, it is counting between € 700 and € 1,100 in general.It is necessary to leave your car one to two days at the mechanic.An approved mechanic must place the conversion case.

4 - Is superethanol dangerous for the engine?

Reviews diverge on this subject.Superethanol-E85 is suspected of accelerating the corrosion of engine injectors, fuel pumps or flexible pipes in the power circuit, according to car more manufacturers.He is also criticized for stripping the tank and therefore coming to clutter the fuel filter.This is why, according to our colleagues, it would be advisable to change the fuel filter after the installation of the case and the first three full at the E85.

5-Does the car consume more?

A car equipped with ethanol consumes between 15 and 25% additional fuel, depending on the model and your driving.Bioethanol is less "powerful" than classic essence: the engine must inject more into the cylinders to obtain the same explosion."The calorific power of ethanol is not the same but it is profitable," explains the mechanic David Betton.Despite this overconsumption, superethanol remains profitable."Despite overconsumption, we continue to save 700 euros for 13,000 km per year," explains Nicolas Kurtsoglou, fuel manager at SNPAA (National Union of Agricultural Alcohol producers).

6 - Should you be wary of cheap kits?

Non -approved kits are available on the market at very attractive prices.They work but be careful: equipped vehicles will be refused to technical control and in the event of an accident, insurance may not compensate for their client.

7 - Is superethanol polluting?

A vehicle that rolls at Superethanol-E85 rejects 70% less CO2 and 90% of fine particles less than a classic petrol vehicle.It can drive in the ZFE (low -emission zone) areas which will be deployed in large cities.The Crit'Air sticker category is not changed.

8 - Should you change your gray card?

It is necessary to have your gray card changed.It will be mentioned "FE" (petrol and Superethanol).The gray card is then free except in Brittany and Center-Val-de-Loire where it is half price.

9 - Where does Superethanol come from?

Superethanol-E85 comes from French agriculture.It is made mainly based on sugar beets after fermentation of sugars and starch, wheat, corn and their transformation residues.

10-Are there enough service stations?

Superethanol-E85 is sold in the petroleum and large distribution service stations.28 % of service stations or 2583 service stations offer it to their customers.For example, Total has already equipped 40% of its stations, intermarkets almost 50% ... Sales of Superethanol-E85 should be 420,000 m3 in 2021 (+20% compared to 2020).