RAC’s new E10 demands
Published papers by the RAC Foundation want the government to consider 95 octane petrol as the ‘protection grade’ for cars incompatible with the new E10 standard, due in two years’ time.
This differs from the views of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), which advocated high-octane ‘Super’ petrol (97 RON and over) be kept on as a low ethanol alternative in 2020, otherwise known as E5.
The RAC Foundation’s findings came after both it and the Federation called for more public domain studies into the long-term effects of E10 petrol in engines.
RAC Foundation head of communications, Philip Gomm, said: ‘Should E5 Super become the protection grade and you are an enthusiast doing low mileage in your beloved classic you might see paying a few pence more per litre for E5 Super as simply the bearable cost of enjoying your hobby. We’re more concerned at the cost for motorists running an older, none E10-compatible car on an everyday basis.’
The RAC Foundation said it supported further motions for a lower tax bands if owners of E10 incompatible cars ended up having to use the more expensive E5 Super in their cars. ‘We’re acting on a clear result from our members’, said the FBHVC’s Geoff Lancaster. ‘ The perception that 97 Super already contains less ethanol will no doubt help swing things that way. ‘We’re representing a different audience covering a lower mileage – and who have accepted that filling up with E5 Super may well be one of the costs of continuing our classic hobby.’
The government’s consultation on E10 fuel is scheduled to conclude on 16 September.