E10 petrol explained: what is it and is my car compatible?

E10 petrol will be available at fuel stations across the UK from September 1st and is set to become the default form of petrol. The new fuel is a more eco-friendly, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. You may have already seen it appearing in your local petrol stations as some retailers have already started making the switch. 

E10 petrol is a mixture of standard petrol and ethanol made from materials including low grade grains, sugars and waste wood.  These crops absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and experts have estimated switching to E10 equates to a 2% reduction per car. 

It is expected to cut CO2 emissions on UK roads by as much as 750,000 tonnes which is the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road.

The launch of E10 fuel is just one of the steps being taken to help the UK reach its goal of net zero carbon by 2050, plus the biofuel needed for E10 will be refined in the UK, boosting our biofuel industry. 

There is no evidence to suggest E10 fuel will cost more than the E5 fuel you currently use. However, if you vehicle is not compatible with E10 fuel, you will need to switch to E5 super-unleaded which is more expensive.

New cars built from 2011 have to be compatible and the majority of vehicle manufacturers were way ahead of the legislation.

It is estimated that around 700,000 cars in the UK are incompatible with E10 due to its higher ethanol content which could potentially cause damage to rubber, alloy and plastic parts. 

The Department of Transport have launched a compatibility checker which will tell you whether your vehicle is compatible or not.

If your vehicle is not compatible with E10 fuel then don't panic. You have a couple of options available to you.

E5 fuel will still be available at fuel stations in the form of super-unleaded. This will be slightly pricier than current fuel costs, but provides a suitable alternative for those not in a position to change their vehicle. It is also not available at all fuel stations, so more rural locations may struggle for easy access.

The second option would be to switch to a compatible vehicle. We are happy to assist you in your search and have a range of new and used vehicles all compatible with the new E10 fuel type.