The government is pushing E10 to reduce fuel imports; ethanol increases octane and efficiency, but poses risks to older vehicles.
The Indonesian government’s plan to implement bioethanol (E10) fuel is gaining momentum, in line with the country’s efforts to reduce fuel imports and achieve renewable energy targets. While this is a strategic policy move, public and industry attention is now shifting to the technical impacts of adding ethanol to vehicle engines.
Fuel experts from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) explain that adding ethanol is beneficial because it can increase the Research Octane Number (RON) of gasoline. Ethanol has an RON between 110 and 120, so blending it results in more complete combustion in the engine, potentially improving vehicle performance, reducing the risk of knocking, and improving emissions.
However, there are two main risks to consider regarding engine components. First, ethanol readily absorbs water vapor, which can reduce the octane rating and combustion quality. Second, ethanol is incompatible with certain materials in older vehicles, particularly rubber and fuel system seals, which can potentially cause damage if exposed to ethanol.
However, this concern is more applicable to older vehicles. The majority of newer cars and motorcycles in Indonesia that use Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems are claimed to be designed to accept ethanol blends up to the E10 (10) limit, and some modern models are even compatible with E20.
