German biodiesel producers call for wider B10 adoption to reduce fuel costs

Germany’s biofuels association MVaK is calling for wider use of B10 diesel, which contains up to 10% biodiesel, instead of conventional B7 fuel with a biofuel content of up to 7%. According to industry representatives, increasing the biodiesel share could reduce consumer costs, lower carbon emissions, and strengthen Germany’s energy security. The proposal comes amid continued pressure on global diesel markets and efforts to find alternatives to imported petroleum products.

According to MVaK, wider adoption of B10 could save German motorists around €2 per full tank of fuel. At certain times this year, B10 could have been priced €0.03/l below standard B7, providing savings of almost €2 on a typical 65-litre fill-up. The association emphasizes that increasing the share of domestically produced biodiesel could help moderate fuel prices while reducing Germany’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Expanding B10 use has also received support at the European level. French President Emmanuel Macron previously called on the European Commission to encourage a transition from B7 to B10 diesel. However, according to MVaK, existing German regulations governing fuel availability at filling stations continue to restrict the wider introduction of the new grade. Industry representatives are calling for these requirements to be revised, pointing to Italy’s approach, where only a proportion of filling stations are required to continue offering B7.

Germany already has substantial production capacity to increase domestic biodiesel consumption. According to the association, the country’s facilities can produce more than 4 mln tons of biodiesel annually. Increasing its share of domestic fuel consumption could reduce the need to export this product while providing additional renewable fuel supplies to the local market. MVaK believes this approach could offer a long-term solution for stabilizing the fuel market, unlike the temporary release of strategic fuel reserves.

The association also highlights opportunities to reduce costs in the commercial transport sector through the use of pure biodiesel, known as B100. According to MVaK, B100 is currently around €0.30/l cheaper than conventional diesel. Wider adoption of B10 and B100 could therefore support Germany’s biofuel industry, increase domestic demand for renewable feedstocks, and help reduce road transport costs.

Tags: biodiesel, Germany