Are hybrid cars picky about E10 gasoline?

Following numerous concerns from hybrid vehicle users regarding the compatibility of their vehicles with E10 RON95 gasoline, many automakers have recently issued official statements.

Báo Thanh niên•04/06/2026

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade 's new roadmap, E10 RON95 gasoline will gradually replace traditional RON95 gasoline nationwide. Besides debates surrounding fuel quality and its impact on older vehicles, one of the questions many car users are concerned about is whether hybrid vehicles are compatible with this 10% ethanol fuel.

The concerns are not unfounded. Compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid cars have a more complex powertrain, combining a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Many worry that the frequent shut-off and restart of the gasoline engine during operation could make the fuel system more sensitive to biofuels.

However, recent information released by car manufacturers and the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) indicates that most new hybrid models have already been prepared for this type of fuel.

Xe hybrid có “kén” xăng E10? - Ảnh 1. — Many car manufacturers claim that the hybrid models currently sold in Vietnam are compatible with E10 gasoline.

A representative from VAMA stated that modern cars currently being manufactured and distributed in the market are designed with fuel systems using materials that are resistant to ethanol. From the fuel tank, fuel pump, and injectors to components such as gaskets and pipes, everything has been calculated to meet the operating requirements for ethanol-blended fuel according to current standards.

The message from VAMA is noteworthy, as this association brings together most of the major car manufacturers operating in Vietnam, including many brands that distribute hybrid vehicles such as Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, KIA, and Mazda. This shows that compatibility with E10 is not just a matter for a few car manufacturers, but has become a common technical requirement for new generation vehicles.

Among car manufacturers, Toyota was one of the first to speak out on this issue. According to information released by the company, Toyota models manufactured from 1997 onwards are compatible with E10 fuel and meet quality standards. This means that hybrid models currently distributed by the Japanese automaker in Vietnam, such as the Corolla Cross HEV, Yaris Cross HEV, Camry HEV, and Innova Cross HEV, are all in the group that can use this new fuel.

Xe hybrid có “kén” xăng E10? - Ảnh 2. — In fact, hybrid vehicles are mostly a relatively recent phenomenon and a global product, so manufacturers have already considered compatibility with E10 gasoline.

Honda has also officially commented on the compatibility of its vehicles with E10 gasoline. Accordingly, customers can use E10 bioethanol fuel in products officially distributed by the company in Vietnam without affecting the engine or fuel system, as long as the fuel meets the prescribed quality standards. For cars, Honda recommends using fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher; specifically, the Civic Type R is recommended to use fuel with an octane rating of 95 or higher. This also means that hybrid models such as the CR-V e:HEV and Civic e:HEV are among the vehicles confirmed by the company to be compatible with E10.

Suzuki has also taken similar action. According to the company, most of its models currently sold in Vietnam are compatible with E10 gasoline. For hybrid vehicles, models like the XL7 Hybrid and FronX Hybrid can continue to use the new fuel type according to the transition schedule without any special requirements from the manufacturer.

Xe hybrid có “kén” xăng E10? - Ảnh 3. — PHEV models from China are also perfectly fine using E10 gasoline.

Not only Japanese brands, but also Chinese automakers have quickly issued statements to reassure customers. A representative from BYD Vietnam recently confirmed that the models using DM-i Super Hybrid technology currently distributed in the Vietnamese market, including the BYD Seal 5, BYD Sealion 6, and BYD M9, are all compatible with E10 RON95 gasoline.

According to the company, the DM-i powertrain was developed with a new generation internal combustion engine and a modern electronic control system, allowing for stable operation with fuel containing 10% ethanol, while maintaining the efficiency and fuel economy that are advantages of hybrid technology.

Similarly, Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnam also issued a statement affirming that all genuine models distributed in Vietnam have been researched, developed, and tested to be compatible with E10 fuel according to international standards. This list includes not only traditional gasoline-powered models but also the Omoda C5 SHS-H and Jaecoo J7 SHS-P, two products using hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology.

In fact, most hybrid models currently sold in Vietnam are global products, developed for markets that have been using E10 gasoline for a long time, such as Europe, North America, Thailand, and Indonesia. Therefore, compatibility with ethanol-containing fuel has almost become a basic technical requirement right from the design stage.