What is E10 fuel and can your car run on it?​

To help reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the UK, the Government has changed the standard grade of petrol from 95% octane and 5% ethanol (known as E5 at the petrol pumps) to a mix that contains 10% renewable ethanol and the rest octane. By changing the mix of the fuel, the level of CO2-based vehicle emissions should be reduced. It is anticipated that this could cut transport CO2 emissions by up to 750,000 tonnes a year – that is equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road. E10 petrol is already in use across much of Europe, the US and Australia. It is also the fuel that's been used to test a cars performance and emissions since 2016.

Check out the Gov.UK website now to find out more about it, and to see if your vehicle can run on E10 fuel.​

​Reducing emissions

CO2 is one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and the main benefit of E10 petrol is that it reduces overall levels of CO2-based vehicle emissions.

By blending petrol with up to 10% renewable ethanol, less fossil fuel is needed, helping us reduce carbon emissions and meet climate change targets.

The introduction of E10 petrol at UK forecourts could cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road, or all the cars in North Yorkshire.

Renewable fuel blends, such as E10 petrol, are generally introduced to reduce overall CO2 emissions. They have little impact on emissions associated with air quality and public health.

The production of renewable ethanol for blending with fossil petrol also results in valuable by-products, including animal feed and stored CO2.​

Fuel economy

Using E10 petrol can slightly reduce fuel economy (the number of miles you are able to drive on a gallon of fuel). You may see a reduction of around 1%, but it is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday driving.

Other factors – such as your driving style or driving with under-inflated tyres or a roof rack – have a much more significant impact on fuel economy than using E10 petrol.


Compatibility

Vehicles

Around 95% of petrol-powered vehicles on the road are compatible with E10 petrol and this figure is increasing all the time.

All new cars manufactured since 2011 are compatible with E10 petrol, and most cars and motorcycles manufactured since the late 1990s are also approved by manufacturers to use E10.

The following vehicles, however, may not be compatible with E10 petrol:

  • classic, cherished and older vehicles
  • some specific models, particularly those from the early 2000s
  • some mopeds, particularly those with an engine size of 50cc or under

You can check whether your vehicle is approved to use E10 petrol using our E10 vehicle checker, which covers cars, motorcycles and mopeds on the Gov.UK website

In order to provide the most up to date and reliable information, the above copy has been taken directly from Gov.uk website.