Mexico allows up to 5.8% ethanol blends in three major cities

In Mexico, the Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico (CRE) published Monday their recently-passed fuel regulation (NOM-016-CRE-2016) in the Mexican federal register, allowing for the blending and sale of up to 5.8 percent ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply outside of the three major metropolitan areas of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

The fuel specification will become effective 60 days after publication, marking the first time in history that Mexico has established a policy on ethanol. Organizations in the United States working to promote the export of U.S.-produced ethanol applauded this development by its close trading partner.

“By approving new fuel standards that allow for ethanol blending at a 5.8 percent rate throughout much of the country, the Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission has taken an important step forward in improving the quality of motor fuel provided to its citizens,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy.

“These standards aren’t applied universally throughout the entire country, however, so there is certainly more progress to be made. Ethanol is a cleaner burning fuel additive that increases octane and reduces reliance on toxic cancer-causing additives. Our collective goal should be greater harmonization across all of North America on fuel regulations that embrace cleaner burning biofuels like ethanol because that is in the best interest of every mother, father and child. Growth Energy will continue to work with our public and private sector colleagues in Mexico to clearly demonstrate the value of ethanol to their environment, water quality, rural sector and consumers.”