- government to consult on introducing E10 petrol – a greener,
cleaner fuel for petrol cars and motorbikes
- introduction could see emissions reductions equivalent to
taking up to 350,000 cars off the road each year
- latest in a package of measures to help support industry and
communities across the UK towards a net zero future
Drivers across the UK could soon be filling up their cars with a
greener, lower emission fuel, Transport Secretary has announced today (4 March
2020).
The government is consulting
on plans for E10, a lower carbon fuel made with up to 10%
ethanol, to become the standard grade of petrol at UK filling
stations from next year.
By increasing the ethanol content of petrol, E10 has the
potential to cut CO2 from transport by 750,000 tonnes per year.
That’s equivalent to taking around 350,000 cars off the road.
Transport Secretary said:
The next 15 years will be absolutely crucial for slashing
emissions from our roads, as we all start to feel the benefits
of the transition to a zero-emission future.
But before electric cars become the norm, we want to take
advantage of reduced CO2 emissions today. This small switch to
petrol containing bioethanol at 10% will help drivers across
country reduce the environmental impact of every journey.
Overall this could equate to about 350,000 cars being taken off
our roads entirely.
Current petrol grades in the UK already contain up to 5%
bioethanol, known as E5. E10 would see this percentage increased
up to 10%, a blend which is already well used in other countries
such as Belgium, Finland, France and Germany.
Grant Pearson, Commercial Director of Ensus UK on Teesside, said:
“We welcome today’s announcement as the availability of E10 will
instantly make petrol a lot cleaner, providing significant carbon
reduction benefits to our environment on the long road to
net-zero emissions by 2050. > > It is vitally important to
protecting and potentially growing jobs in this industry,
including many in the supply chain, and will bring tangible
benefits to UK farmers and environmentally-conscious motorists.
The consultation follows the roll-out of new labels at
filling stations across the UK which highlight the
biofuel content of each fuel and help drivers to easily identify
the right option for their vehicle.
Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of measures to
support the decarbonisation of transport including funding for
pioneering low carbon fuels, which are expected to save nearly 85
million tonnes of CO2 between 2018 and 2032.
As part of wider efforts to shift transport towards a greener
future, the government has also pledged £5 billion to overhaul bus
and cycle links, along with £50 million for Britain’s
first all-electric bus town, paving the way for green
communities of the future.
