Fuel pumps across Great Britain are now greener, with the
introduction of E10 as the new standard grade of petrol,
Transport Secretary has announced today (1 September).
Over 95% of all petrol vehicles are compatible with E10, with
the small number of older vehicles, including classic cars and
some from the early 2000s, still able to access E5 petrol in
the ‘Super’ grade. Motorists should use the Government’s free
online E10 checker to see if their vehicle is compatible.
E10 will not be more expensive at the pump than current
standard petrol. Although using E10 petrol can marginally
impact fuel economy – generally around 1% - this will be almost
unnoticeable to most drivers when making every day journeys.
E10 petrol – which is blended with up to 10% renewable ethanol
and made up of materials such as low-grade grains, sugars and
waste wood, making it greener than existing petrol – could cut
transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year, which is
the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off of UK roads. The move
will help us reach our climate change goals as we prepare to
host COP26 this November and makes it easier for people across
the country to switch to greener lifestyles.
The E10 rollout this month will also support the increased
production of biofuels at bioethanol plants in the northeast of
England. Not only will this boost job opportunities in the
local area, with the two big plants providing around 200
skilled jobs directly, it will also support thousands in the
wider local economy including in the agriculture sector that
supply the feed-wheat needed to run the plant.
This will help to build a new green economy, revitalising our
industrial heartlands and supporting the UK’s wider bioeconomy
as we build back greener from the pandemic.
Transport Secretary
said:
“Every journey matters as we drive forward the green
industrial revolution, which is why the rollout of E10 is so
important. It’ll help us cut road greenhouse gas emissions
and meet our ambitious net zero targets.
“Although more and more drivers are switching to electric,
there are steps we can take today to reduce emissions from
the millions of vehicles already on our roads – the small
switch to E10 petrol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as
we accelerate towards a greener transport future.”
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said
“This is a positive and simple step to help reduce the carbon
impact from road transport. While the vast majority of
vehicles will be unaffected by the change, it is important
for owners of older cars to use the Government’s vehicle
checker to see if they can use E10.
“Even if E10 is put in a non-compliant vehicle, drivers
should not panic and can simply put super unleaded in their
tank at the next available opportunity.”
