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Leclerc Launches €690 E85 Car Conversion, Pledges Access in All 126 Auto Centers by Year’s End

The supermarket chain aims to scale ethanol conversions on the back of a near‑€1 per‑litre price gap versus petrol.

Overview

  • Leclerc’s standardized offer uses a Biomotors electronic control unit installed in about two to three hours to enable dual‑fuel use without major engine changes.
  • Roughly 50 centers already perform conversions, with staff training underway so the service reaches all 126 locations and an expected 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles converted in 2026.
  • At the pump, E85 is reported around €0.70–€0.75 per litre versus about €1.68–€1.70 for SP95, and Leclerc cites typical payback in under a year despite an estimated 15% higher consumption.
  • The forfait price is €690 at Leclerc, while independent garages generally charge more, and eligible vehicles are petrol or hybrids built after 2000 with registration updated for insurance compliance.
  • E85 is available at about 3,800 stations nationwide (around 40% of sites, with roughly 60% of Leclerc stations offering it), and economists note its price edge relies on preferential taxation.