Chandra Adi Nurwidya, Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia defended the government's plan to mandate a 10 percent ethanol blend in gasoline, or E10, saying the policy aligns with global energy transition efforts while reducing fossil fuel imports and supporting local industries.
"In Brazil, they blend up to 27 percent ethanol, even 100 percent in some regions. The United States has E10, some states E85. India uses E20, Thailand E20, and Argentina E12," Bahlil said in Jakarta on Tuesday. "So it's not true that ethanol is a bad idea. Other countries have already done it successfully."
Data from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) show that Germany, Vietnam, the Philippines, France, and China have also adopted E10 blends.
Bahlil said the E10 policy, expected to take effect between 2027 and 2028, will help Indonesia cut fuel imports and create rural jobs through cassava- and sugarcane-based ethanol production. "This will not only reduce our reliance on imported fuels but also create jobs and support regional growth," he said.
The plan is part of Indonesia's broader biofuel roadmap, which already includes the B40 program, a 40 percent palm oil blend in diesel, that is set to rise to B45 or B50 by 2026. The ESDM has confirmed that all vehicles sold in Indonesia can safely use gasoline with up to 20 percent ethanol, meaning the shift to E10 will not require engine modifications.
Energy experts have welcomed the E10 mandate as a step toward cleaner and more sustainable fuel use. Wahyudi, a mechanical engineering professor at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, said the policy reflects the government's commitment to expanding renewable energy adoption.
"From a renewable energy standpoint, this is a positive move," Wahyudi said Thursday. "Bioethanol has a higher octane rating than pure gasoline, meaning cleaner combustion, better efficiency, and lower emissions."
He added that most modern vehicles, especially those manufactured after 2001, can already run on E10 fuel without modification. "About 80 percent of vehicles on the road today are compatible," he said, adding that only older models may face technical issues.
Still, Wahyudi cautioned against rushing implementation. "Comprehensive testing must come first, covering various vehicle types and brands," he said. "The public should see the results before full rollout."
He also underscored the importance of securing sufficient domestic bioethanol supply. "Production capacity must keep up with demand. Otherwise, the mandate could face delays," he said.
Automotive expert Fitra Eri cautioned, however, that ethanol also comes with technical drawbacks. Its energy content is lower than that of fossil fuels, which could slightly reduce engine power and increase fuel consumption.
"Ethanol absorbs moisture easily from the air, which can cause engine corrosion, especially in humid countries like Indonesia," Fitra said in his Instagram account. "Ethanol is safe to use as long as the base fuel is designed for it and the additives are properly adjusted from the start."
He also raised concerns about engine durability, particularly for older vehicles that were not designed to handle ethanol's corrosive nature. "Most modern cars are already compatible, but vehicles from the 1990s and earlier may face issues," he said.
Fitra urged the government and the automotive industry to ensure a smooth transition. "Change is fine, but give the industry time to adapt. Car manufacturers must ensure that vehicles sold are ready for ethanol-blended fuel," he said.