B10: Europe's overlooked climate solution

This is an article from Biofuels International Magazine:

Transport-related emissions in Europe remain stubbornly high. Efficiency gains from the hybridisation of vehicles contribute to this, and although sales of fully electric vehicles are increasing, their share of the total EU passenger car fleet remains very low.

Transport-related emissions in Europe remain stubbornly high. The efficiency gains from the hybridisation of vehicles are helpful, and although sales of electric vehicles are increasing, their share of the total EU car fleet remains very low.

Every year that we wait for future solutions, millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases are unnecessarily emitted. And the wait has been considerable: nine years ago, the European Commission announced a strong push for more zero-emission vehicles in our fleet.

What the EU needs now are pragmatic, scalable instruments to reduce emissions today.

One solution to this situation is B10 diesel.

This 10 % biodiesel blend offers an immediate, proven way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. It requires no changes to engines, no new infrastructure and no technological leaps. The production capacity is there. The vehicles are ready.

The only obstacle is political inertia - and the continued approval of B7 as the main standard, which unfortunately prevents dealers from offering B10.

It is time for a course correction.

Europe must see B10 as a decisive step towards achieving climate targets and increasing greenhouse gas savings from liquid fuels as part of the energy transition.

A proven solution in disguise

According to the current EN590 diesel standard, only 7 % biodiesel (B7) is permitted. Raising this limit to 10 % (B10) may sound minor, but it means an increase of 43 % in the proportion of renewable energy and a correspondingly greater reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per litre of diesel. For a continent that is still dependent on diesel fuel for freight transport, public transport and agriculture, this is a climate policy lever with unrivalled urgency.

Unlike future fuels that are dependent on undeveloped infrastructure or scarce feedstocks, B10 is already a reality. The European waste-based and advanced biodiesel industry is capable of supplying B10 across the continent without compromising food supply or biodiversity.

For many years, FAME biodiesel has provided Europe with the largest share of greenhouse gas savings in the transport sector.

The latest Bente project, led by Coburg University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with AGQM and Volkswagen, has demonstrated the technical suitability of B10 in rigorous laboratory and field tests. Euro 6d diesel vehicles fuelled with B10 met or exceeded the values of B7 and fossil diesel in city traffic, on the motorway and in the WLTC cycles in the laboratory.

NOx, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and particulate emissions remained comfortably within the Euro 6 limits.

In some cases, B10 even delivered lower NOx and CO2 emissions than B7.

Concerns about oil dilution in urban stop-and-go operation were dispelled in the tests, with no adverse effects being observed. Long distance tests confirmed acceptable oil ageing and viscosity.

Lessons learnt from the experiences of pioneers: France, Portugal and beyond

The EU does not need to reinvent the wheel. France made B10 its standard diesel fuel blend years ago and seamlessly integrated it into its petrol station network. Portuguese consumers have access to B15 at over 165 petrol stations, with excellent operational performance. Outside Europe, US truckstops, for example, routinely offer diesel fuel blends from B6 to B20 under a uniform labelling system, allowing retailers flexibility while avoiding consumer confusion.

Vehicle manufacturers are also on board. Many OEMs now explicitly authorise the use of B10 in their diesel models, supported by the existing technical standard EN 16734. It is important that B10 does not compete with other renewable diesel options such as HVO.

On the contrary, the combination of HVO with B10 or even B20/B30 blends opens up the possibility of a higher proportion of renewable fuels in diesel, especially for company-owned fleets or sectors with high requirements.

But despite these obvious success stories, most petrol stations in the EU still only offer B7.

The reason for this is structural: fuel retailers have no incentive to switch. Although B10 is now the new standard following the update of the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) in 2023, fuel retailers are hesitant to make the switch due to economic realities.

The cost of the transition, the ongoing uncertainty of some OEMs and the lack of customer recognition of the benefits of B10 are all contributing to preventing widespread adoption. Without stronger political signals, it is unlikely that retailers will allocate resources or limited space at the pump to promote B10 over B7. As long as B7 remains legal under the FQD and EN590, widespread adoption of B10 will continue to be a long time coming.

Removing obstacles: A call for political courage

EWABA calls on European and national decision-makers to overcome this standstill. The technical prerequisites are in place. The vehicles are compatible. The infrastructure is ready. The supply is secured. What is missing is the political will.

Specifically, the decision-makers should:

- Adapt the EN590 diesel standard to the Fuel Quality Directive by authorising B10 as the standard diesel blend throughout the EU.

- Fuel retailers should offer incentives to replace B7 with B10 at all petrol stations to ensure uniform availability.

- Promote OEM approvals for B10 in all suitable diesel vehicles.

- Align public procurement for municipal and national fleets in such a way that B10-compatible fuels are favoured.

Keeping B7 on the market actively discourages dealers from introducing B10.

Space at the pumps is limited and operators are unlikely to provide capacity for higher biodiesel blends as long as B7 fulfils the minimum legal requirements.

The gradual abolition of B7 as the standard is essential in order to realise the full potential of B10.

These measures are inexpensive yet highly effective and lead to an immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions without having to wait for next-generation technologies.

Conclusion: B10 is Europe's shortcut to more credibility in climate protection

The EU's climate targets are non-negotiable, but the path to achieving them is anything but certain. While electrification is gaining momentum, liquid fuels will remain indispensable for decades to come. B10 offers a pragmatic, scalable bridge - one that reduces emissions today and buys valuable time for the wider energy transition.

Europe has the tools, the capacity and the expertise to act.

Consumers won't feel any difference at the petrol pump, but the environment will.

With B10, the EU can translate its climate targets into immediate, measurable action and set a global benchmark for pragmatic policymaking.

The EU cannot afford to allow procedural delays to undermine climate protection. It is time to implement B10 without further hesitation.

By Adrian O'Connell, Technical Affairs Expert at the European Waste-based & Advanced Biodiesel Association (EWABA)

Read the original report in English in this link to.

Source: biofuels-news.com from 21.07.2025