In the following months, many fuel stations will switch from E5 to E10 rated gasoline. What is it, though, and how will it affect your fleet?
The following are statements from the Department of Transportation:
- “In the summer of 2021, the standard (95 octanes) fuel grade in the United Kingdom will be replaced with E10.
- “Only petrol is affected by the change in fuel. There will be no changes to diesel fuel.
- “E10 gasoline is compatible with almost all (95 per cent) petrol-powered automobiles on the road today, and all cars produced after 2011 are suitable.
- “If your petrol vehicle or equipment is not E10 compatible, you may still use E5 by purchasing ‘super’ grade (97+ octane) petrol from most filling stations.“
What is E10 petrol?
E10 petrol includes up to 10% renewable ethanol, which helps to minimise CO2 emissions connected with petrol cars and combat climate change. In the United Kingdom, petrol now includes up to 5% renewable ethanol (E5).
E10 petrol is already extensively utilised in many parts of the world, including Europe, the United States, and Australia. Since 2016, it has also served as the benchmark by which new vehicles’ emissions and performance are measured.
Emissions reduction
CO2 is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and the main benefit of E10 petrol is that it reduces overall CO2-based vehicle emissions. By blending gasoline with up to 10% renewable ethanol, we can use less fossil fuel, reduce carbon emissions, and meet climate change targets.
The use of E10 gasoline on UK forecourts may reduce CO2 emissions from transportation by 750,000 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of removing 350,000 vehicles off the road or all the cars in North Yorkshire.
Blends of renewable fuels, such as E10 gasoline, are commonly used to minimise total CO2 emissions. They have a minimal effect on emissions that affect air quality and public health.
In addition to valuable by-products like animal feed and stored CO2, renewable ethanol production for blending with fossil gasoline produces important by-products like animal feed and stored CO2.
Fuel efficiency
Using E10 petrol reduces fuel efficiency slightly (the number of miles you can drive on a gallon of fuel). Although a 1% decrease is possible, it is unlikely to be apparent in regular driving. Other factors, such as your driving style, driving with under-inflated tyres, or driving with a roof rack, have a far more significant influence on fuel economy than using E10 gasoline.
Vehicles
Around 95% of petrol-powered cars on the road today are E10 compatible, and this number is growing all the time. E10 petrol is compatible with all new vehicles built after 2011, and most cars and motorbikes manufactured from the late 1990s have also been certified by manufacturers to utilise E10.
However, the following cars may not be suitable with E10 gasoline:
- Vehicles that are vintage, treasured, or older
- Some mopeds, notably those with engines of 50cc or less, some specific types, particularly those from the early 2000s
Visit gov.uk to see if your vehicle can operate on E10.
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