Germany cancels plans to add ethanol to petrol

Berlin – Amid growing fears that biofuel farming is harming the environment and driving up world food prices, Germany cancelled on Friday plans to mix more ethanol made from plants with petrol. Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the decision was taken because 10 per cent ethanol in petrol would rot the hoses and gaskets of millions of auto engines. But he said an order for diesel fuel to contain 7 per cent ethanol remained in place.

Gabriel rejected accusations of blundering and cast blame on car manufacturers for not telling him in time that 3 million engines were vulnerable if the current ethanol supplements were increased.


He said he refused to force millions of German motorists to buy a more expensive, ethanol-free grade of petrol.

At a news conference, he acknowledged the wider criticism of ethanol, saying, “It’s now being asked if producing ethanol actually causes more damage to the climate than the fuel it is meant to replace.”

The change of mind over petrol means Germany must reduce its overall 2009 target for biofuel addition to motor spirits from 6.25 per cent to 5 per cent, as measured by by energy yield, Gabriel said.

Earth Times