French biofuel consumption rises despite falling fossil fuel demand

In France, biofuel consumption rose in 2016 despite falling gasoline and diesel consumption in line with blending mandates. Fossil fuel consumption has fallen in line with increased fuel efficiency in vehicles along with slower economic growth. The country mandates 8% ethanol and 7.8% biodiesel blending, and achieved 8.8% and 8.7% respectively. The additional ethanol consumption came from E10 and E85. On a calorific basis, the country has hit its biodiesel targets every year since 2010 but ethanol is slightly behind the target.