Jul 27, 2026
Brazil's Adoption of E32 Gasoline Facing Legal Challenge
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Starting on August 1st, gasoline in Brazil will contain a 32% blend of ethanol (E32) for 180 days while the blend is evaluated for technical feasibility. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Brazilian Public Defender's office filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Minas Gerais calling for a suspension of the implantation of E32 gasoline.
The lawsuit maintains that the studies used by the government to support the change would not be enough to validate the permanent adoption of the new mandatory mix. According to the Public Defenders Office, the research used was originally designed to evaluate E30 gasoline and did not include aspects of compatibility with the entire national fleet. The office argues that increasing the ethanol content could cause premature wear of components, corrosion of metal parts and failures of injection systems, especially in motorcycles, old vehicles, and imported models.
The Sugarcane and Bioenergy Industry Union (UNICA) contends that the approval of E32 gasoline by the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) followed the criteria established by the Fuel Law of the Future and was based on studies coordinated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME). According to UNICA, the adoption of the new mixture was based on tests developed specifically to evaluate the impact of E32 gasoline on the Brazilian fleet.
The increase in the mandatory mixture was approved by CNPE as part of the policy of expanding the use of biofuels, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing dependence on fossil gasoline, and increasing the demand for domestically produced ethanol.