The German automobile association ADAC has warned that up to 1.5 million drivers will be unable to use the ethanol-richer gasoline, Deutsche Welle said Friday. The newspaper said the plan to increase biofuels from 5 percent to 10 percent was based on statistics that estimated 375,000 car owners would be adversely affected.

Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Friday the 10 percent blending rate would be dropped if ADAC's statistics are found to be correct.

Peter Meyer, the head of ADAC, said the group is also opposed to the planned introduction of E10 gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol due to overall ecological and social costs.