Katerina Swanson
E10 fuel is a new type of unleaded petrol that is now the standard grade at most UK fuel stations. It contains 90% regular unleaded and 10% ethanol, which is derived from plants and is considered to be more environmentally friendly. While all new cars sold in the UK must be E10 compatible, not all cars are able to use this type of petrol, and some older models will not be able to run on it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of introduction in the UK | Summer of 2021 |
| Composition | 90% regular unleaded and 10% ethanol |
| Compatibility | All cars built after 2010 or 2011; most cars built between 2000 and 2010; all new cars sold in the UK; all European models with petrol engines equipped with electronic control fuel injection system (HONDA PGM-FI); all Land Rover vehicles with petrol engines starting from model year 1996; nearly all Fords dating back to 1992; Nissans, Peugeots and MINIs built after 2000; some models from major brands like Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes |
| Incompatibility | Some older cars; certain models from brands like Ford, Renault, Toyota, Lexus, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes; some V6-powered Lexus models made before 2007; some Volkswagen and Audi models produced before 2005; Vauxhalls with 2.2-litre petrol engines; selected Toyota Avensis petrol engines made before 2009; Renaults with 2.0-litre engines built before 2003; classic cars |
| Benefits | Reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from petrol cars; increased use of renewable energy; the world's oil reserves should last longer |
| Drawbacks | A slight dip in fuel economy; higher fuel costs for owners of incompatible vehicles; long-term damage to seals, plastics, and metals in classic cars due to ethanol's corrosive qualities; condensation in the fuel tank of classic cars due to ethanol's hygroscopic properties |
| Alternatives | E5 super unleaded |
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What You'll Learn
Cars built after 2010 are compatible
If your car was built after 2010, it will be compatible with E10 fuel. E10 fuel is a new type of unleaded petrol that is now available at fuel stations across the UK. It contains 90% traditional petrol and 10% ethanol, unlike E5 fuel, which is made up of 95% unleaded petrol and 5% ethanol. The higher ethanol content in E10 fuel helps to reduce emissions from cars already on the road.
The majority of vehicles in use today are approved to be fuelled with E10 petrol and will be able to run perfectly normally on it. Most modern cars can run on E10 without any issues, and nearly all Fords dating back to 1992 can run on E10, as can Nissans, Peugeots and MINIs built after 2000. If your car was built between 2002 and 2010, it is likely to be compatible with E10 fuel, but there are some exceptions, including certain models from major brands like Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes.
If you are unsure about whether your car is compatible with E10 petrol, you can check the government's E10 online compatibility checker or contact your car's manufacturer. It is important to note that diesel and electric vehicles cannot use E10 petrol.
While E10 fuel is a step towards reducing carbon emissions, it is not suitable for all cars. Owners of classic cars, in particular, could run into problems if they fill up with E10 fuel as the ethanol in the fuel can cause degradation of rubber and plastic components, and also absorb water from the atmosphere, potentially leading to corrosion in fuel tanks and other metal components.
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Cars built between 2000 and 2010 are likely compatible
E10 fuel is a new type of unleaded petrol that is now the standard grade at most UK fuel stations. It contains 90% regular unleaded and 10% ethanol, which is derived from the fermentation of plants like low-grade grains and sugar cane. The higher ethanol content helps to reduce carbon emissions from cars already on the road. It is estimated that the switch to E10 will cut each vehicle's carbon footprint by 2%, reducing the UK's CO2 emissions by around 750,000 tonnes per year. This is the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road.
While E10 is now the standard grade of petrol, not all cars are compatible with this type of fuel. It is estimated that as many as 600,000 vehicles currently on the road cannot run on E10 petrol. These are likely to include older and classic cars, as well as certain models from major brands like Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes. If your car was built after 2010, it will be compatible with E10 fuel. If it was built between 2000 and 2010, it is likely to be compatible, but there may be some exceptions. For example, some V6-powered Lexus models made before 2007 and some Volkswagen and Audi models produced before 2005 are not compatible with E10 fuel.
If you are unsure whether your car is compatible with E10 fuel, you can check online using the government's E10 checker tool. You will need to know the vehicle manufacturer, model, engine size, and year of manufacture. You can find this information in your vehicle's log book (V5C). Alternatively, you can contact the manufacturer directly to ask about your vehicle's compatibility with E10 fuel.
If your car is unable to run on E10 fuel, you can continue to use E5 super unleaded fuel, which is still available at many fuel stations. However, E5 fuel is typically more expensive than regular unleaded and may be less widely available, especially at smaller filling stations.
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Check the manufacturer or government's online checker tool
To determine whether your car is compatible with E10 fuel, it is advisable to consult the manufacturer or utilize an online checker tool provided by the government. These tools are designed to provide accurate and reliable information regarding E10 fuel compatibility for specific vehicle models.
Starting with the manufacturer, you can visit their official website or contact their customer support team. Most manufacturers have
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E10 fuel contains 10% ethanol
E10 fuel is a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. It is sometimes called gasohol. E10 fuel is considered to be a useful way of decreasing a country's dependence on foreign oil, and it can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 20-30% under the right conditions. It also reduces carbon emissions by 2%.
E10 fuel is approved for use in all modern automobiles and light-duty vehicles without the need for any modification to the engine or fuel system. In the US, all new automobiles must be approved for E10 use. In the UK, E10 became the standard fuel at petrol stations in September 2021. It has also been introduced in Thailand, Sweden, India, Vietnam, Argentina, and the Philippines.
While E10 fuel is approved for use in most vehicles, some older models may not be compatible with it. Owners of classic cars, for example, may run into problems if they fill up with E10 fuel. In general, vehicles built after 2010 can use E10 fuel, and most vehicles built between 2002 and 2010 will also be compatible. However, there are some exceptions, including certain models from major brands like Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes.
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Diesel and electric vehicles cannot use E10
E10 fuel is a new type of unleaded petrol that is now available at fuel stations across the UK. It is made up of 90% traditional petrol and 10% ethanol, which is derived from the fermentation of plants and their by-products. This bioethanol is believed to be carbon-neutral, as the crops absorb CO2 as they grow, thus offsetting the emissions produced by its production and use.
The introduction of E10 fuel is part of the government's plan to reduce vehicle emissions. The higher ethanol content will help to reduce emissions from cars already on the road, with the switch to E10 predicted to be the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road. It is also expected to cut every vehicle's carbon footprint by 2%.
While E10 is a great step forward for petrol vehicles, it is not suitable for diesel and electric vehicles. Diesel and electric cars cannot use E10 petrol. This is because diesel engines are not designed to run on petrol, and while a single tank of E10 petrol in an incompatible vehicle may not cause major problems, prolonged use of the incorrect fuel is not recommended. This is due to the corrosive nature of ethanol when left in long-term storage, which can also affect seals and gaskets in some fuel systems.
If you are unsure whether your vehicle is compatible with E10 petrol, you can check using the government's online E10 vehicle checker.
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Frequently asked questions
E10 is a type of unleaded petrol that contains 90% regular unleaded and 10% ethanol. It is now the standard grade at most UK petrol stations.
Most petrol vehicles manufactured after 2010 will be compatible with E10 fuel. Cars built between 2000 and 2010 will likely be able to run on E10, but there are exceptions, including certain models from major brands like Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes. If your car is older than 10 years, refer to the UK government's online checker tool or contact the manufacturer to check compatibility.
Using E10 fuel in an older vehicle, such as a classic car, may cause long-term damage. This includes damaged seals, plastics, and metals due to ethanol's corrosive qualities, as well as condensation in the fuel tank, leading to engine-related problems.
If your vehicle is incompatible with E10 fuel, you can opt for E5 super unleaded, which contains 5% ethanol. However, smaller filling stations may not offer E5, and prices may vary.
E10 fuel is introduced to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from petrol cars. The ethanol in E10 is derived from plants, making it a renewable and partially carbon-neutral source of fuel. It is estimated that E10 can reduce emissions by up to 750,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
