From 1/6, all unleaded gasoline on the market must be blended with ethanol to become E10 biofuel gasoline. Previously, this fuel type was piloted from 8/2025, with many businesses expanding its distribution in recent months.

Before the transition, most consumer concerns revolved around vehicle compatibility, fuel consumption, or potential engine impact. To address these issues, the Ministry of Industry and Trade recently published 85 questions and answers.

Can currently used vehicles run on E10?

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, most oto and moto currently operating in Vietnam can use E10 gasoline. Exceptions include one light truck model manufactured from 1996 to 2023, which is no longer in production, and a few older Suzuki motorcycle models whose compatibility with E10 has not been confirmed.

Engines for lawnmowers, water pumps, leaf blowers, and agricultural machinery using gasoline, manufactured in recent years, are all compatible with E10.

For vehicles that are too old or have unclear specifications, the regulatory body recommends users continue using E5 RON92 gasoline. Under current regulations, this fuel type is still permitted until the end of 2030.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also stated that people do not need to adjust their engines or flush their fuel tanks when switching from RON95 to E10 under normal operating conditions. If a vehicle has been used for many years and the fuel tank shows signs of rust or significant sediment, it should be cleaned before the transition.

An employee pumps E10 gasoline at a store in Ha Noi, 5/2026. Photo: Pham Chieu

Does E10 make vehicles weaker and consume more fuel?

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, ethanol has a lower calorific value than mineral gasoline, so some tests have recorded E10's fuel consumption to be about 2-3% higher than traditional gasoline.

However, this difference does not always appear. The reason is that ethanol helps the fuel mixture burn more completely, thereby compensating for some of the energy deficit caused by its lower calorific value. Some tests even show E10's travel distance to be equivalent to or greater than mineral gasoline.

Regarding driving feel, the regulatory body states that users would find it difficult to notice a difference under normal conditions. Some reports of vehicles feeling "sluggish" after switching to E10 might stem from ethanol dissolving and carrying away sediment and rust in the fuel system, reducing the fuel flow to the combustion chamber.

Does E10 cause engine damage?

The Ministry of Industry and Trade asserts that there is no scientific evidence indicating E10 gasoline damages engines. According to the agency, E10 has been used for many years in around 60 countries worldwide. Both domestic and international tests have not recorded engine damage resulting from E10 fuel itself.

Addressing corrosion concerns, the Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that ethanol is more corrosive than mineral gasoline, but its impact on engine components is considered very minor. Furthermore, most modern vehicles are designed with materials compatible with ethanol-containing fuels.

Questions related to spark plugs, engine sensors, electronic fuel injection systems, starting capability, electrical systems, or vehicle air conditioning were also answered by the regulatory body, indicating no unusual effects.

What should users note?

One distinct characteristic of ethanol is its higher moisture absorption capacity compared to mineral gasoline. Therefore, the Ministry of Industry and Trade advises against storing E10 for too long, ensuring the fuel tank is tightly sealed to prevent water and moisture from entering the gasoline. For vehicles used infrequently, regular starts, fuel checks, and maintenance according to manufacturer recommendations are necessary.

The regulatory body also advises against arbitrarily adding ethanol to gasoline, "filtering out" ethanol from E10, or using additives without technical guidance from the engine manufacturer. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, these measures do not increase fuel efficiency and can even compromise safety or reduce gasoline quality.

According to the biofuel roadmap approved by the Prime Minister in 2012, Vietnam initially aimed to implement E10 nationwide from 2017. However, implementation was delayed for many years due to market factors and supply capacity.

The regulatory body believes that using E10 not only aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also contributes to promoting the domestic biofuel industry. Environmentally, E10 can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to mineral gasoline. Some studies indicate emission reductions of up to 30%, depending on vehicle type and operating conditions.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also emphasized that E10 is a step in the green energy transition but not the sole solution for sustainable transportation. In the future, technologies such as electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, or hydrogen fuel will continue to be developed concurrently.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, much of the recent debate surrounding E10 stems from a reluctance to change or unverified information on social media. The agency recommends that people seek information from official sources, refer to vehicle manufacturer recommendations, and purchase fuel from reputable stations.

If unusual fuel signs are detected, the operator advises people to stop using it, report it to authorities or the fuel supplier, and have the vehicle inspected at a reputable technical facility.

"If there is sufficient evidence to prove a fault caused by E10 gasoline, the E10 gasoline supplier is primarily responsible, followed by the state agency managing petroleum", stated the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

View the complete 85 questions and answers from the Ministry of Industry and Trade regarding E10 gasoline.

Phuong Dung