The share of used cars capable of running on E85 superethanol increased noticeably during 2025. Vehicles originally designed to run on this biofuel from the factory proved especially popular, clearly outselling cars that were converted later with aftermarket kits. That trend is reflected in the latest list of the most sought-after used vehicles compatible with E85.
June 2026 will mark an interesting milestone for this alternative fuel. It has been almost twenty years since the experiment that led to the official homologation of E85 as a road fuel in France on January 1, 2007. Over those two decades, the ecosystem around the fuel developed along three parallel paths. Automakers introduced factory-built flex-fuel vehicles that can run on gasoline or E85. Aftermarket suppliers created certified conversion kits for conventional gasoline engines. At the same time, the network of fuel stations offering E85 gradually expanded.
The used car market has followed that development closely and continues to grow. According to a recent study by the automotive marketplace AutoScout24, the share of E85-compatible vehicles reached a record level in January this year.
A Small Share, But Rapid Growth
Between January 2025 and January 2026, the market share of used cars capable of running on superethanol increased from 0.54% to 0.66%, with an average of 0.59% over the full year. That represents 32,142 registrations over a twelve-month period.
At first glance the number still looks small compared with the roughly 5.4 million used cars sold during 2025 in France. However, the trend is clearly upward. The number of E85-compatible used vehicles increased by 14.3% compared with 2024.
Fuel price differences are the main reason behind the growing interest. With an average price of about $0.79 per gallon equivalent for E85 in France, compared with roughly $1.80 for standard gasoline blends and diesel when converted from European pricing levels, the biofuel offers a clear financial advantage even though engines typically consume around 25% more fuel when running on ethanol.
According to AutoScout24 analysts, spikes in used E85 vehicle sales often align with moments when drivers start looking for ways to reduce their fuel expenses. January purchases frequently reflect New Year budgeting decisions, while demand also rises between April and June when many drivers prepare for summer road trips and longer vacations.
Ford Dominates The Factory Flex Fuel Market
One manufacturer played an especially important role in the European E85 market. Ford Motor Company was among the few brands to sell factory-built FlexiFuel models capable of running on gasoline or E85 without modification.
Four Ford models accounted for roughly two thirds of all used E85 vehicle sales during 2025. The most sought after was the Ford Puma in its FlexiFuel configuration.
However, that option disappeared after the model’s 2024 facelift. With the discontinuation of the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, the only remaining Ford model still offering a factory E85-compatible engine today is the Ford Kuga.
Premium And Converted Vehicles
In the premium segment, Jaguar Land Rover continues to offer the Land Rover Discovery Sport in a FlexFuel configuration, although the Range Rover Evoque is no longer available with that setup. The Jaguar E-Pace also once offered a FlexFuel version but has since been discontinued.
Interestingly, the Evoque still ranked fifth among the most sold used E85-compatible vehicles in 2025, trailing behind large numbers of converted models such as the Renault Clio equipped with certified conversion kits.
Among vehicles that were modified after purchase, the most popular tend to be mainstream best sellers regardless of fuel type. Behind the Clio come models like the Dacia Sandero, the Peugeot 208, and the Volkswagen Golf.
What Buyers Should Check
Before buying a used car that runs on E85, experts recommend verifying that the vehicle’s registration document lists the correct fuel type. In France this appears in section P3, where the code “FE” indicates official Flex E85 compatibility.
Buyers should also confirm that any conversion kit installed on the vehicle is officially approved and installed according to regulatory standards. Depending on the model, the system, and the service provider, the price of converting a gasoline car to run on E85 typically ranges between about $760 and $1,740.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.