E10 – The new standard grade of Petrol

The UK Government has introduced a new petrol called E10, which will be rolled out in the summer of 2021 with Northern Ireland following early 2022. This fuel change applies only to Petrol vehicles. Diesel fuel will not be changing.

According to the UK Government website, 95% of petrol-powered vehicles on the road today can use E10 with vehicles built since 2011 being compatible.

The following vehicles however may not be compatible with E10 petrol:

  • Classic, cherished and older vehicles
  • Some specific models, particularly those from the early 2000s
  • Some mopeds, particularly those with an engine size of 50cc or under

Further information can be found at the UK Gov website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e10-petrol-explained

Can my vehicle run on E10 fuel?

Whilst the government says that 95% of petrol-powered vehicles will be compatible with E10 fuel, that doesn’t mean that all vehicles can use it. According to the RAC, as many as 600,000 cars are thought not to be compatible with E10.

You can use the official government checker to confirm your vehicle compatibility, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-e10-petrol

What is E10 Fuel?

E10 petrol is a new type of fuel that contains 10% Bioethanol. This is a renewal ethanol which will help reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions that are associated with petrol vehicles, helping to tackle climate change.

E10 is not new and is already widely used across the world, including Europe, the US and Australia and has been the reference fuel that new cars have been tested for emissions and performance against since 2016.

Why has the UK government introduced E10 petrol?

Bioethanol is a renewable fuel made with natural products, including sugarcane, cereal crops and other plants. E10 is expected to cut CO2 emissions by a whopping 750,000 tonnes annually, reducing the dependency on imported oil and is part of the UK’s goal to achieve net-zero carbon by 2050.

Where can I buy E10 fuel?

Before buying E10 fuel make sure your vehicle can accept E10 by checking on the UK government website. The good news is that both BP and Morrisons in Sittingbourne have E10 fuel. And if you are looking for E5, Morrisons and Asda both still have E5, however this could change at any time so you should check in advance of travelling to the station.

Will I still be able to get E5 Fuel if my vehicle is not compatible?

Moving forwards, it is expected that E5 fuel will only be available at Premium Unleaded pumps.

How will this affect petrol prices?

It is not clear how this will affect fuel prices in the future. Whilst E10 prices haven’t increased in price yet, E5 fuel has increased by 15p per litre.

With the price rise there are many ways to make your vehicle more economical; We’ve pulled together some tips to help you get more miles per gallon:

  1. Check the air pressure of your tyres – Running your tyres at the wrong air pressure reduces your fuel efficiency.
  2. Regular servicing – In the long run a well serviced vehicle will save you money in unexpected costs from your vehicle running improperly.
  3. Driving style – Heavy acceleration or breaking will greatly reduce your fuel efficiency.