New ‘greener’ petrol aims to cut emissions

Motorists are being advised to check their cars can use a new ‘greener’ fuel which is being introduced later this year.

E10 – a mixture of petrol and ethanol made from materials including low grade grains, sugars and waste wood - is due in petrol stations in September.

Its introduction in the market will boost the Government’s ambition to reach net zero CO2 emissions by the year 2050 – saving 750,000 tonnes of the harmful gases each year.

A small number of older vehicles, including and some from the early 2000s, will still continue to need the current E5 fuel, supplies of which will be maintained in the super grade, and drivers are being advised to check that their vehicle is compatible.

The two petrol blends currently available in the United Kingdom contain no more than five per cent ethanol, known as E5.

The fuel being rolled out in September has up to 10% methanol in it.

Using bioethanol in place of traditional petrol can reduce CO2 emissions, and increasing the ethanol content of petrol aims to help meet climate change targets.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We’re going further and faster than ever to cut emissions from our roads, cleaning up our air as we move towards a zero-emission transport future.

“Although more and more motorists are driving electric vehicles, there are steps we can take to reduce emissions from the millions of vehicles already on our roads.

"The switch to E10 petrol will help drivers reduce the environmental impact of every journey.”

Ethanol is described as being an organic chemical compound.