West Bandung, W. Java (ANTARA) – The mandatory B50 biodiesel, set to take effect on July 1, is projected to save Indonesia up to Rp157.28 trillion (US$9.18 billion) in foreign exchange by 2026.”God willing, it can take effect on July 1,” Eniya Listiani Dewi, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) director general of new, renewable energy and energy conservative, said in Bandung on Tuesday.She explained that the B50 blend, consisting of 50 percent crude palm oil (CPO) and 50 percent fossil diesel, is still in the road testing phase, which has been underway since December 9, 2025.The road testing on nine types of vehicles is targeted for completion in May. Following the road testing, ESDM Ministry will inspect the condition of the engines.Road testing and engine inspections for the automotive sector are targeted for completion in June 2026.According to Eniya, preliminary results of the B50 testing indicate that the quality of B50 fuel meets the required specifications.In addition to the automotive sector, B50 is being tested in agricultural machinery, heavy mining equipment, maritime transportation, railways and power generation.”So, there will be no more B40 biodiesel (starting July 1). We will start implementing B50 simultaneously in all sectors,” Eniya noted.Indonesia currently enforces a B40 mandate, which blends 40 percent palm-based biodiesel with 60 percent petroleum diesel.The B40 program has reduced diesel imports by 3.3 million kiloliters (kL) and cut carbon emissions by 38.88 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, the minister said.Government data show biodiesel utilization reached 14.2 million kL in 2025, or 105.2 percent of the target of 13.5 million kL.The planned shift to B50 is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s strategy to strengthen resilience against global supply disruptions.The government estimates the policy could reduce fossil fuel consumption by about 4 million kL annually. Related news: Indonesia to roll out B50 biodiesel from July 1: Lahadalia