What Is B50 Fuel, on Sale from 1 July 2026? Differences from B40 and Its Price
Starting 1 July 2026, Biodiesel 50 (B50) fuel will be sold gradually at public fuel filling stations (SPBU). The government has provided a three-month transition period for all business entities to deplete old B40 stocks and complete the blending process. Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Eniya Listiani Dewi, confirmed that all Indonesian SPBUs are expected to be selling B50 by 1 October. The new fuel is prepared to replace B40, which is sold by PT Pertamina (Persero) under the Biosolar brand.
According to the Ministry of ESDM, B50 is a fuel made from a mixture of vegetable oil-based biodiesel (50 percent) and diesel (50 percent). It is a development of previous biodiesel series such as B40, B35, B30, and B20. In Indonesia, the vegetable oil used is sourced from palm oil, which is processed into Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) before being blended with diesel. B50 is part of the national energy system transformation towards cleaner, more sustainable, and sovereign energy, aiming to strengthen national self-sufficiency by maximising domestic resources.
The primary difference between B50 and B40 lies in the biodiesel percentage, with B40 using a 40 percent blend and B50 using 50 percent. Another differing aspect is the maximum water content limit; B50 has a lower limit of 300 parts per million (ppm) compared to B40’s 380 ppm, indicating potentially better fuel quality. Tests on heavy equipment over 1,000 hours showed that B50 consumption was 1-3 percent higher than B40, a result considered within normal limits due to the higher biodiesel content and consequently lower calorific value.
As of the article’s writing, there is no certainty regarding the price of B50. Director General of Oil and Gas, Laode Sulaeman, stated that the price will follow the existing formula and pricing mechanism without any special provisions. Eniya added that the price is highly dependent on the market values of diesel and biodiesel, which can vary monthly. For reference, the subsidised price of B40 in June 2026 was Rp 6,800 per litre, while the unsubsidised price was Rp 22,900 per litre.