Here at #TeamArbury, we’ve received a few questions from our customers about this new E10 petrol, and what it means for them. So, ahead of the E10 launch in the UK, we wanted to look at the upcoming change and answer some of your FAQs.
What is changing?
In short, the government are set to introduce a new, more eco-friendly petrol this autumn. We currently use E5 petrol, which contains up to 5% renewable ethanol. The new petrol is called E10, which, as you might guess, boosts the level of renewable ethanol to 10%, alongside the 90% regular unleaded.
E10 is already widely used in some European countries, such as France, Germany and Finland, and also in Australia. The UK government intends to make E10 the new standard petrol grade, to help the UK meet climate change targets. The Department for Transport says that switching to this new fuel will reduce emissions by 750,000 tonnes of vehicle CO2 each year – the equivalent of taking up to 350,000 cars off the road in the UK.
Can my car use E10 petrol?
Understandably the most common question! The government estimates that about 95% of cars on UK roads are compatible with E10, including most of those built since 2011. We advise using the official E10 online checker – at Arbury, we’ve found these notable exceptions for the brands we stock, but we’d advise contacting your manufacturer if unsure.
• SEAT vehicles with the first generation of FSI engines:
◦ Toledo 2.0 litre (110kW) FSI ‘BLR’ manufactured from September 2004 to November 2005
◦ Leon 2.0 litre (110kW) FSI ‘BLR’ manufactured from July 2005 to November 2005
◦ Altea 2.0 litre (110kW) FSI ‘BLR’ manufactured from May 2004 to November 2005
• ŠKODA:
◦ Felicia 1.3 litre OHV (40kw and 50kW) engines in the production years 1994 to 2001
◦ Models using the 1.3-litre OHV engines produced prior to 1994
• Fiat:
◦ Barchetta: 1.8 litre
◦ Bravo/Brava (Type 182): 1.6 litre
◦ Doblò: 1.6 litre
◦ Marea: 1.6 and 2.0 litre
◦ Multipla: 1.6 litre
◦ Punto (Type 188): 1.8 litre
◦ Stilo: 1.6 litre (only displacement 1.596 cm3), Stilo 1.8 litre and Stilo 2.4 litre.
The RAC estimates that around 600,000 cars – including the above exceptions, older models and classic cars – aren’t compatible with E10. They also suggest that drivers of cars registered prior to 2002 are advised not to use E10 in their vehicle, as problems have been reported.
Can I combine E5 and E10, or do I have to drain my tank first?
Yes – if your car is compatible with E10, you can mix the two once E10 arrives. Equally, you can fill up using E5 petrol if E10 isn’t available (this might be the case in certain rural locations).
Will be fuel consumption go up?
As ethanol is less energy-dense than petrol, the transition to E10 petrol could cause a drop in your average fuel economy, although experts believe it would only be an increase in fuel consumption of around 1%, which should be hardly noticeable.
What if my car can’t use E10?
If your car isn’t E10-compatible, you will still be able to fill up in most locations, but it might be more expensive, as E5 will become the premium option.
Moving with the times with Arbury
For the majority of drivers, E10’s arrival will make little difference to your day-to-day driving, other than a possible slight dip in fuel economy. If the move to E10 has made you consider getting a new model, why not browse our New Car range today? Or, you could go one step further towards ‘green’ driving, and check out our latest hybrid and electric vehicles!