More than a quarter of drivers (27%) are yet to check whether
their car is compatible with new E10 petrol that arrives at
forecourts this month, with a similar proportion (24%) unaware
that the new fuel is being introduced to replace E5 as the
standard grade of unleaded petrol, new RAC research has found.*
The findings mean the RAC is encouraging drivers to check their
vehicle’s compatibility with the new blend of petrol as soon as
possible via the free official online
checker – something that 26% of those surveyed said they had
already done, with a further 15% saying they’d found their car
was compatible by another means. Those with incompatible vehicles
– which are estimated to total around 600,000 – will have to seek
out and pay for more expensive, E5 super unleaded if they wish to
keep them running.
Of those drivers surveyed who know their main car is not
compatible with the new E10 fuel, the impact of the cost of
having to fill up with super unleaded instead – which can cost
around 12p more per litre than standard unleaded – is the single
biggest concern, cited by 59% of respondents. Around half (53%)
are worried about finding forecourts that sell E5 super unleaded
in the first place, while a fifth (20%) fear mistakenly filling
up with E10 – something that may cause expensive damage to
non-compliant vehicles. The same proportion said they were
concerned the changes could impact on the resale value of their
vehicle.
The new E10 petrol contains up to 10% bioethanol, replacing E5
which has up to 5%, and is being introduced to cut carbon dioxide
emissions. It has been estimated that the switch to E10 will cut
CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year, or the equivalent of
taking 350,000 vehicles off the road and is part of the
Government’s 2050 net zero carbon target. However, those who fill
a non-compatible vehicle with E10 petrol could find that it may
cause damage to seals, plastics and metals over longer periods as
a result of bioethanol's corrosive properties. All vehicles sold
in the UK from 2011 are required to be E10 compatible.
RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes said: “E10 petrol has already
started appearing on forecourts to replace the old E5 blend, and
that process will continue at pace in the coming weeks.
“But while the vast majority of drivers of petrol cars aren’t
affected, a sizeable minority will be and the only way to be sure
is to use the official online checker. Those that discover their
cars aren’t compatible will unfortunately need to seek out and
pay for a hefty premium for E5 super unleaded fuel instead. The
cost of doing this could quickly add up for people who need to
use their cars regularly, something our research shows all too
plainly. Drivers who will continue to rely on E5 will also need
to make sure the filling station their visiting stocks the fuel
in the first place, or risk running out of fuel and having to
call on their breakdown provider.
“We’d also like to remind owners of classic cars that need to be
careful not to accidentally top up with E10 and then leave it sat
unused in the tank for long periods, something which can lead to
expensive damaged plastics, metals and seals.”
The Government says that all cars built since 2011 can use E10
petrol. The fuel is arriving across forecourts in Great Britain
now, and is due to arrive in Northern Ireland in early 2022. The
RAC does not expect the shift to E10 from E5 itself to result in
higher petrol prices in the future, as the higher cost of
bioethanol has already been included in the wholesale price of
the fuel for some time.
The RAC website carries a full
guide to the new E10 fuel and what to look out
for.
Ends
Notes to Editors
* Research conducted among 1,450 UK drivers between 25 and 27
August.
