E10 petrol Q&A
All you need to know as eco fuel hits the forecourts
FROM 1 September, all petrol stations must make E10 petrol – which contains 10 per cent bioethanol – the standard grade of unleaded, with E10 replacing E5, which contains five per cent bioethanol. The introduction of E10 is happening already because retailers can’t make the switch overnight, so we’ve answered some of the questions you may have.
Q Why is E10 being introduced?
A The extra bioethanol in E10 comes from crops, which absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) as they grow. It’s estimated switching to E10 equates to a two-per-cent reduction in CO2 per car, with the Department for Transport (DfT) expecting E10 to cut UK CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
Q Can my car run on E10?
A New cars built from 2011 have to be compatible, and most firms were way ahead of the legislation. But the DfT estimates 700,000 UK cars are incompatible with E10 due to its higher ethanol content potentially damaging rubber, alloy and plastic parts. The RAC Foundation estimates around 28,000 older VW Golfs and 18,000 Mazda MX-5s can’t use E10, for example. Go to the DfT’s compatibility checker (www.gov.uk/checkvehicle-e10-petrol) if you’re concerned.
Q What do I do if my car can’t use E10?
A E5 will still be offered in the form of super-unleaded from 1 September. People with incompatible cars should use superunleaded, although this brings extra costs. Protective additives are also available.
Q What happens if my car can’t run on E10 but I fill up with it by mistake?
A Cars that can’t use E10 should still run, but the extra solvents in the fuel can cause damage to fuel pumps, lines and carburettors, especially in the long term.
Q Why is E10 already at petrol stations?
A Stations must make E10 their standard grade of unleaded by 1 September, but underground tanks hold up to 100,000 litres, so the switch can’t happen overnight. Petrol labelling rules are strict, so if you see E10 on the pump, that’s what you’re getting.
Q Will my car use more fuel on E10?
A The DfT says using E10 petrol can “slightly reduce” fuel economy, but only by around one per cent.
Q Does E10 reduce tailpipe CO2?
A There may be a slight reduction, but this is likely to be offset by any increase in fuel consumption. The real CO2 savings come from the crops grown for the fuel.
“The extra bioethanol in E10 comes from crops, which absorb carbon dioxide as they grow”