(A typo was removed from the headline).

MANNHEIM (dpa-AFX) - Mannheim-based ethanol producer Cropenergies plans to offer the emission-saving fuel Super E20 at a public gas station nationwide for the first time starting this Tuesday. According to the company, however, the E20 pump will only be accessible to certain company fleets during the current trial phase, not to the general public. Until now, this offer of a higher, 20 percent bioethanol content has only been available at company filling stations on company premises, it said.

The German automobile club ADAC welcomes the progress made on E20. Compared with E5 and E10, greenhouse gas emissions from driving can be further reduced in an uncomplicated manner. Super E10 offers a savings potential of up to three million tons of CO2 annually. "A higher blending rate of bioethanol, from the current maximum of 10 percent to up to 20 percent, could significantly increase the savings potential even further," said Karsten Schulze, ADAC's technical president.

In order for normal cars to be able to use the new fuel, the quality standard for gasoline must be adapted, according to the automobile club. This is also a challenge for politicians. Subsequently, car manufacturers would have to technically approve their vehicles for use.

However, the ADAC also sees the need to avoid mistakes made when E10 was introduced in 2011. At the time, it was said that the gasoline industry was solely to blame for the E10 debacle. It had failed to inform motorists about its compatibility, which had caused uncertainty. "Last year, Super E10 accounted for just 24 percent of the gasoline market," the ADAC said. This means that only a fraction of the potential savings in emissions are being exploited./ssc/DP/zb