Even though the new E10 petrol is already available in some UK petrol stations, it will officially be introduced across the whole country in September 2021. This is the biggest change to forecourts since the four-star petrol ban two decades ago.
What is E10 fuel?
E10 is the new name for the standard 95 Octane unleaded petrol which will now contain up to 10% renewable ethanol (bioethanol). Vehicles using this new petrol blend put out less CO2 which tackles positive climate changes as a result. UK drivers have been already able to fill their vehicles with greener petrol called E5 containing up to 5% of the bioethanol however, the E10 takes the eco-friendly fuel to another level. UK expects that the introduction of E10 will have the power of cutting CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year which would be equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
Is my car compatible with E10 petrol?
According to RAC, there are 32.7 million cars registered in the UK, with 18.7 million of them being petrol engines. 95% of petrol vehicles on the road can use E10 petrol. New cars manufactured since 2011 are compatible with E10 petrol, and a majority of cars manufactured since the late 1990s are also approved by manufacturers to use E10.
The following vehicles 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
How do I check if my car can use E10 petrol?
There is a simple way to check if your vehicle is approved to use E10 petrol - just click the button below and find out in seconds. Please note this only applies to petrol vehicles. Diesel and electric vehicles cannot use E10 petrol.
E10 vehicle compatibility checker
If you can't find your car, we recommend you go to your manufacturer's website or ask at MOT garages or workshops in your area. If you can't find it there, continue to use E5 (97+ octane) petrol.
I have a classic car - can I use E10 petrol?
For classic car owners, it can be difficult to find out if a vehicle is compatible with the fuel of the future as many manufacturers of classic cars are not listed in the above vehicle checker. It's especially difficult to provide accurate information on vehicle compatibility where the older brands are no longer trading. If you tried everything and are still unsure if your classic will run on E10 petrol, the safest way is to stick with using E5 (97+ octane) petrol, which will remain available in the ‘super’ grade.
My car is not compatible with E10 petrol - what should I do?
If you find out that your car can't run on E10 petrol, there's nothing to worry about. Simply continue to use E5 petrol in the ‘super’ grade (97+ octane), which will still be available at many larger filling stations. Make sure you check the label before you fill up!
What will happen if I accidentally use E10 petrol in a non-compatible car?
The Government assured the drivers that the occasional use of E10 in cars designed for E5 petrol won't cause any harm however, prolonged use of E10 in a non-compatible car can result in engine damage. Keep in mind that insurance policies will not cover any vehicle damage caused by administering an unsuitable fuel type.
The good news is that, unlike putting petrol into a diesel engine, you don’t need to drain the tank - simply use the correct fuel to fill it up next time.
E10 pump is out of order - can I use E5 instead?
Compatible vehicles should be able to use both blends of petrol: E5 97+ and E10 95+ so if you only have access to one, use that. It’s perfectly safe to mix them in the same tank or fill up with E5 if E10 is not available.
Do I still have to pay to enter clean air and ultra-low emission zones when using E10 petrol?
Unfortunately, yes. If you're driving into a Clean Air Zone (CAZ), Low Emission Zone, or Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), your car's Euro emissions standard will determine if you're able to do so or have to pay a fee. This has nothing to do with the fuel used.
We hope that this short guide on E10 petrol answered all your questions and put your mind at ease about the upcoming changes but if there's anything else you'd like to know, please don't hesitate to contact us - we are here to help.
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