Facing a surge in fuel prices, mechanics in France are experiencing a significant increase in requests for vehicle conversions to **bioethanol**, a renewable fuel made from plant materials. A 500-euro conversion box allows drivers to reduce their fuel costs, with a full tank of bioethanol costing 25 to 30 euros compared to more than double that for regular gasoline. Julien Landreau, a school nurse from Marseille, converted his Kia to bioethanol at the beginning of summer and reports significant savings. **Superethanol E85**, a blend of unleaded gasoline and bioethanol, costs an average of 0.89 euros per liter, compared to more than 2.13 euros for SP95-E10, the most sold fuel in France. Mechanics in Marseille report a fourfold increase in requests for bioethanol conversion boxes compared to last year. Nicolas Greco, co-owner of a garage in the center of Marseille, notes this surge, while Matthieu Vales, another mechanic, describes the installation process as meticulous, involving connecting the device to the vehicle's injectors. Vales' garage started installing boxes in June and has seen demand double since then. The Region Sud is offering a 250-euro subsidy for the most modest households converting to bioethanol. To legally convert a vehicle, mechanics must be certified, and the driver must request a modification of their registration certificate. The conversion allows the vehicle to run on both unleaded gasoline and E85. Installation costs can range up to 1,000 euros, with promotions available at 500 euros, according to Pierre Chasseray of the association "40 millions d'automobilistes." However, the technology is not suitable for all vehicles, depending on their age and mileage. Approximately 400,000 people in France drive on ethanol, out of fifteen million eligible vehicles, according to Jérôme Loubert of FlexFuel Energy Development. Bioethanol is estimated to save 841 euros per year for 13,000 kilometers traveled compared to SP95-E10, according to the professional association **Bioéthanol France**. Environmental experts note that while bioethanol can save money, its environmental impact is mixed. Beetroot accounts for only 5.8% of raw materials used for agrofuels in France, with corn and wheat being the main sources. These crops require significant amounts of water, nitrogen fertilizer, and pesticides and are less resilient to climate change, according to Diane Strauss of the NGO Transport and Environment. Additionally, 48% of biofuel consumed in France is produced from foreign agricultural raw materials, and when import emissions are considered, bioethanol reduces CO2 emissions by "at best by 10 to 40%" compared to gasoline. Strauss argues that electric vehicles are a better climate solution, and biofuels may be a distraction.