Drivers urged to check their car's compatibility as E10 petrol roll-out begins
Drivers are being urged to check if their car is compatible with the new E10 fuel mixture after it emerged that one-in-four are in the dark about the fuel grade changes.
The Government is increasing the level of bioethanol in petrol to 10 per cent in a bid to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The changes will commence from this month (September 2021) but not all cars will be compatible with the new fuel mixture.
A survey of 1450 drivers by the RAC found that over a quarter of drivers (27 per cent) are yet to check whether their car is compatible with E10 petrol, with a similar proportion (24 per cent) unaware that the new fuel is being introduced to replace E5 as the standard grade of unleaded petrol.
Bioethanol is made from a plant-base. The Government claims the new E10 petrol could cut CO2 emissions by up to 750,000 tonnes a year - a figure the equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
The Government says that all cars built since 2011 will be able to use the new E10 petrol but estimates that around 600,000 cars built before 2011 will not be fully compatible with the new fuel mixture. The higher bioethanol content in E10 may result in damage to seals, plastics and metals over longer periods as a result of bioethanol's corrosive properties.
Government advice claims that putting E10 petrol in a non-compatible car on a one-off basis should not result in damage. But owners of classic vehicles are being urged to be careful not to accidentally top up with E10 and then leave it sitting unused in the tank for long periods, something which can lead to expensive damage.
E5 will continue to be sold in the UK as 'super fuels', although these high-performance fuels can be up to 12p-per-litre more expensive than standard unleaded.
Drivers who are concerned about their vehicle's compatibility can use the Government's E10 vehicle reference tool. HonestJohn.co.uk's partner site heycar has also launched a simple and easy to use E10 checker.
Dan Powell
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watney on 2 September 2021
A comment from friends over the water said that if new fuels introduced over there caused the damage suggested above, it would result in a class action against both the fuel (oil) companies and the government. It would be nice if we had the same option.soldierboy 001 on 2 September 2021
Will there be an equivalent fuel in the diesel pumps coming alongMaxonian on 2 September 2021
My TR6 is having the best E5 fuel thanks. The BMW makes do with E10.conman on 3 September 2021
The problem E10 raises is for cars that are left stood for ages also hybrids that the owners decide to run on battery power only and very rarely use the petrol engine. The bioethanol evaporates and leaves a varnish like sludge behind blocking your cars fuel injection jets.on 3 September 2021
E10 is not a enviro friendly fuel if it damages cars, leads to more being scrapped to make a purchase not necessary. C02 let’s face the science is a much needed gas for the earth without it the planet dies. C02 is present in everything, a dead world decaying releases more, yet what I see Is still more destruction of green belt, forever building for a declining population, cutting trees along roads for camera spying etc etc. E10 is a rubbish fuel that gives less power and mileage. Used this in the past in Asia and always look to use the traditional equivalent of green unleaded.hissingsid on 3 September 2021
A declining population? Where do you live? The root cause of all the environmental threats to the planet is over population, but this problem is one which governments, apart from China, dare not address.
Too many people consuming too many goods and making too many journeys. Fiddling around with the ethanol content of petrol is not the answer.
The New Guy on 8 September 2021
Do you believe it is more environmentally sound for everyone to buy a new car that is only going to last 4-8 years?
overtaxed on 3 September 2021
The world is heading for food shortages and forests are being cut down for agriculture motorists are being harmed for greenwashing.BrendanP on 6 September 2021
The E10 petrol is now going to be the standard unleaded fuel, and the E5 petrol which was the standard cheapest fuel is now going to be promoted to be the Super premium fuel. Why is it going to be more expensive if the formulation hasn't changed, and what will happen to the petrol that was previously being sold as Super premium?hissingsid on 6 September 2021
My understanding is that standard E5 will disappear and that the existing Super unleaded will continue as before for a minimum of five years.TedTom on 7 September 2021
Where I live E5 has already disappeared from the pumps. This lot are trying to force motorists to use E10, as the alternative is 10p a litre more expensive.
The New Guy on 8 September 2021
When can we get E85 like most of Europe with some places already having E100. England always get left behind kicking and screaming in an illogical tantrum but will have to accept eventually. I hope that biodiesel hits the pumps here soon as well as I have not seen that since Covid stopped me from travelling.Don't be conned on 23 December 2021
Yet another strategy by the government to manipulate motorists into doing what they want. Would you voluntarily use E10 knowing it gums up your fuel lines and carb jets? Worse still when it is left for any length of time it is hydroscopic encouraging rust in your fuel tank. No didn't think so but when the alternative is 162p per litre a lot more people will turn to it. Go tell the Chinese to use it and see what answer you get. Once again self flagellation on the altar of everything green on a massive scale in order that our current government can virtue signal its green credentials in an attempt to try and get re elected.
Edited by Don't be conned on 23/12/2021 at 15:45
Xileno on 24 December 2021
Been rolled out progressively in Europe for years. Introduced in France in 2009, I have driven thousands of miles using E10 since 2009 with no problems at all.
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