LE SUPERÉTHANOL-E85
What is Superethanol-E85?
Superethanol-E85 is a gasoline fuel made up of 60% to 85% bioethanol, depending on the season. This renewable biofuel, produced in France, offers drivers a solution that is both environmentally friendly and economical.
It is available at more than 3,930 stations — representing 41% of all stations as of July 2025 — and powers a fleet of over 400,000 flex-fuel vehicles (one-third factory-built flex-fuel models and two-thirds vehicles equipped with approved E85 conversion kits).
Superethanol-E85 is available at a competitive price, which can be checked on the official website prix-carburants.gouv.fr
Why “E85”? “E” stands for ethanol, while “85” indicates the maximum percentage of ethanol contained in this fuel.
A 100% renewable Superethanol-E85 is currently under development. The fossil gasoline share (15%) will be replaced by 15% renewable fuel derived from biomass (beet, cereals, sugar and starch residues, and co-products from used oils).
What is bioethanol fuel?
Bioethanol is an alcohol produced from plant-based raw materials such as:
• sugar beets;
• cereals (corn, wheat) and their processing residues.
This biofuel is produced through a natural fermentation process of the sugars and starch contained in these plants. Beet pulp and cereal distillers’ grains are co-products used for animal feed, ensuring optimal resource valorization.
Why choose Superethanol-E85?
Introduced in France in 2006, Superethanol-E85 is designed to:
• reduce the consumption of fossil gasoline by increasing the use of bioethanol, a renewable energy source;
• strengthen France’s energy independence by reducing its imports of oil and petroleum products.
Superethanol-E85 performance
Vehicles running on Superethanol-E85 perform the same as those using SP95-E10:
- Ethanol increases the fuel’s octane rating, promoting more efficient combustion.
There are two options for driving on Superethanol-E85:
- Un véhicule flexfuel, autrement dit un véhicule conçu d’origine pour fonctionner avec ce carburant.
- A gasoline vehicle equipped with a state-approved E85 conversion kit, allowing the use of this fuel safely and reliably.
An economical fuel
Sold at an average of €0.73 per liter, E85 is the fuel that boosts purchasing power. Indeed, Superethanol-E85 is the cheapest gasoline fuel available in France.
It allows drivers to save nearly €700 per year for 13,000 km. Moreover, for 20,000 km driven, the savings exceed €1,070 compared to SP95-E10 priced at €1.68/L. *
*source: DGEC and calculations carried out by Bioethanol France
A more environmentally friendly fuel
Superethanol-E85 incorporates a renewable energy source, bioethanol, which helps reduce:
Net greenhouse gas emissions by more than 73% on average compared to fossil gasoline (source: CarbuRe – DGEC 2024).
Air pollution, since the ethanol component emits far fewer fine particles during combustion than fossil gasoline. E85 reduces fine particle emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil gasoline, and CO₂ emissions by 50%.
Nearly 3,900 E85 stations in France
Superethanol-E85 is available at more than 3,930 service stations in France, representing 41% of all stations nationwide.
As a result, it is estimated that 9 out of 10 people have a station within 10 km of their home, and nearly 8 out of 10 have one within 5 km.
An economic force in local regions
The French bioethanol industry has a positive impact on local regions:
Production locale : le bioéthanol du Superéthanol-E85 est fabriqué principalement dans les Hauts-de-France, le Bassin Parisien, le Grand Est et le Sud-Ouest.
Employment: the sector represents approximately 9,000 direct, indirect, or induced jobs in the agricultural and industrial sectors (source: PwC 2014).