On April 3, a sectoral B2B meeting titled “Strategic Eurointegration: Gasoline with Bioethanol” took place in Kyiv, organized by the leading industry information resource NaftoRynok and the UkrBioethanol Association. The event brought together importers, traders, national and regional gas station networks, bioethanol producers, and representatives of state authorities. The Fuel and Energy Business Association supported the event, continuing its consistent efforts to promote the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the sector.
As is known, starting from May 1, 2025, Ukraine will enforce a regulation requiring that gasoline contain at least 5% bioethanol (a plant-based alcohol). However, the regulatory framework and implementation procedures necessary to enforce Law No. 3769-IX are still lacking—there is no technical regulation defining requirements for alternative motor fuels, nor are there established reporting formats or inspection methodologies.
Certification and Oversight Challenges
Participants raised several critically important issues: who will monitor fuel quality, who will be responsible for oversight, and what will happen to gasoline without bioethanol that remains on the market after May 1. The development of the required regulatory acts has been assigned to the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Energy, and other executive bodies. Businesses are expecting clear and practical solutions.
Government representatives present at the event offered some reassurance. Dmytro Zaruba, First Deputy Head of the State Environmental Inspectorate, stated:
“As of May 1, 2025, the State Environmental Inspectorate will not yet carry out inspections or impose fines for the sale of gasoline without bioethanol. This would require an approved protocol form for such violations, which does not currently exist.”
Bioethanol-Blended Gasoline Has Long Been in Ukraine
According to market estimates, over 1 million tonnes of European-produced gasoline were imported into Ukraine in 2024, much of which already contained bioethanol in accordance with EU standards. This trend has been evident since at least 2022, when the market shifted towards European imports. Ukrainian vehicles have therefore long been running on fuel containing bio-components, which proves the technical readiness of the fleet and dispels common concerns among consumers.
A Time-Tested European Practice
The experience of EU countries demonstrates that gasoline with bioethanol is a safe and reliable component of motor fuel. Since 2011, bioethanol has been used in Germany, France, the UK, Poland, and other nations. Most modern cars support both E5 (5% bioethanol content) and even E10 (10%).
What lies ahead is technical adaptation, changes in logistics, and new investments. Now is the time to lay the foundation for fair competition, higher-quality fuel, and the sustainable development of Ukrainian businesses and the broader economy. It is essential that these changes are transparent, predictable, and beneficial — both for the market and for every driver.