Bio-ethanol (E5) will make its debut in Vietnam, giving consumers an alternative source of petrol at a lower price.
![]() |
E5 petrol was sold on a trial basis in Hanoi in 2008 (Photo: kienthuc) |
E5 ethanol is a bio-ethanol that is derived from crops such as sugar beet, sugar cane, corn, etc. This blended petrol will be available in 5 cities of Vietnam beginning in August 2010 at price cheaper than the standard A92 unleaded petrol.
20 outlets selling E5 petrol will operate in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Hai Phong and Hai Duong cities. Da Nang, Hue and Can Tho will follow suit.
E5 will be priced at VND15,450 ($0.81) per litre. Its price is cheaper than A92 unleaded petrol by VND500 ($0.03) per litre.
Vietnam National Oil & Gas Group (PVN) announced that they would supply E5 petrol all over the country in early 2012 with an amount of about 240 million litres.
E5 being used in Vietnam will mark a milestone in development of the country’s energy industry. PVN expects that E5 usage will help to protect energy security, the environment and economic growth in rural areas because the new fuel would use maize and sugarcane grown by farmers.
Initially, four plants processing this kind of petrol have been built in Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria -Vung Tau Province.
E5 petrol was used on a trial basis to collect assessments from consumers who used it. The trial period was used to check how vehicle engines worked with this kind of petrol, measure the amount of emission and assess its quality.
The results showed that E5 petrol had good quality and it would help improve environmental pollution.
E5 will also help conserve fossil fuels and lessen the green house effect.