Japan Unveils Ethanol Blend Roadmap

Japan currently uses an ethanol blend of around 1.7% in petrol and plans to increase it gradually to E10 by 2030 and E20 by 2040. Before nationwide implementation, the country will launch a small scale E10 pilot program in 2028 to assess its effectiveness.

The phased approach is intended to prevent vehicle compatibility issues, protect consumers from engine and fuel system problems, and give fuel suppliers enough time to upgrade storage and distribution infrastructure. Japan aims to ensure that higher ethanol blends can be adopted safely without affecting vehicle performance, durability, or maintenance.