Grand Est: Drivers can save €600 a year with fuel conversion scheme

Motorists in the Grand Est region of France have a second chance this year to benefit from a regional scheme that offers to supply and install specialist bioethanol conversion kits for €1 that could save them some €600 a year in fuel costs.

Some 2,700 vehicles have been converted to run on E85 superethanol fuel since the first promotion by the region in 2019. The most recent was in April, when 1,600 car owners applied for the conversions in 15 days.

The fuel costs an average of €0.67 a litre in France, compared to more than €1.50 for petrol.

"The approved E85 conversion units allow most gasoline vehicles compatible with the SP95-E10, to run on E81 superethanol or unleaded gasoline," the La Collective du bioethanol association, which brings together producers in the sector, said in a press release.

The scheme is reserved for vehicles over four years old.

In total, the Grand Est region will finance the purchase of 6,000 conversion units: 1,000 which will cost €1 for the individuals concerned (installation included, with up to €900 of financing by region) and 5,000 who will benefit from aid of up to €500.

Bioethanol is also estimated to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 50% and particulate emissions by 90%, compared to traditional fuels.

It is estimated that some 150,000 cars in France use E85 superethanol.

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