Guatemala adds ethanol to regular gas, shifts consumer habits
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In Guatemala, the government began requiring 10% ethanol in regular gasoline on August 22nd. Following the first month, officials and industry groups observed shifts in consumer behavior, with roughly 30 to 40% of drivers switching from regular to premium gasoline.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) considers the initial results positive and plans to continue the measure, but has not yet set a timeline for adding ethanol to premium gasoline, prioritizing public trust.
The change in purchasing patterns appears linked to misinformation among drivers, according to Minister Erwin Barrios, who expects those continuing to use regular gasoline to return as they gain confidence. Before the ethanol blend, regular gasoline accounted for 56% of fuel consumption, but during the first month, premium gasoline became the dominant choice, representing around 56% of demand.
Several associations reported that while initial supply chain disruptions from unrelated events like road blockades and global shipping constraints briefly impacted availability, the situation stabilized as importers adjusted purchases. The Asociación de Productores de Alcohol de Guatemala (Apag) believes the ethanol blend is a viable and safe addition to the fuel supply, offering a hedge against volatile international oil prices. They and other groups plan to continue providing technical information to consumers and monitoring consumption patterns in the coming months.
