French deputies seek to boost biofuel blending but still below EU’s 2020 mandate

In France, Global Bioenergies welcomed the French deputies’ vote for the country’s 2019 finance bill, which stipulates an increase in the minimum amount of biofuels to be incorporated into motor vehicle fuel. This minimum will rise from 7.5% in 2018 to 7.9% in 2019 and then 8.2% in 2020. France’s roadmap provides for an incorporation rate of 15% by 2030, giving priority to local feedstocks. Biofuel players will thus be able to continue building plants and creating jobs in rural environments while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

Last December, the French National Assembly passed the 2019 finance bill, which stipulates an increase in the proportion of biofuels in road transport. The minimum incorporation rate of biofuels, which in 2018 was 7.5% in energy density (corresponding to around 10% in ethanol volume in gasoline), increases to 7.9% in 2019 and 8.2% in 2020.  The bill includes heavy incentives to encourage distributors to effectively incorporate the legal minimum amount of biofuels.

Lawmakers also give priority to local feedstock used to manufacture these biofuels. Additional provisions have been adopted in support of biofuels that come from residual or lignocellulosic matter; a specific segment that will represent 0.2 point in 2019 and then 0.4 point in 2020 is reserved for non-extractible sugars.