How to check if your car CAN’T use new E10 petrol before massive change in two weeks
HUNDREDS of thousands of drivers won’t be able to use the new E10 petrol when it’s introduced in September. The new type of fuel will become standard from September, replacing E5 petrol at forecourts across the UK. Most cars will be able to run on E10 petrol, but around 600,000 older vehicles are not compatible with […]
HUNDREDS of thousands of drivers won’t be able to use the new E10 petrol when it’s introduced in September.
The new type of fuel will become standard from September, replacing E5 petrol at forecourts across the UK.
Most cars will be able to run on E10 petrol, but around 600,000 older vehicles are not compatible with the new fuel.
It means that they will have to use a pricer premium petrol – super unleaded.
We previously calculated that this could cost as much as £6 extra every time you fill up.
How to check if your car CAN’T use E10?
Vehicles manufactured from 2019 onwards should have a label close to the petrol filler cap clearly marked E10 and E5 showing the fuel that can be used.
You can check if your car is compatible with the fuel by visiting the official website.
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To check your vehicle’s compatibility you will need to provide information on its manufacturer.
You will be shown a list of which models can run on E10 and which can’t.
For example, for Ford it says that all models sold in Europe since 1992 can use E10, with one exception: the Ford Mondeo 1.8 SCI from 2003 to 2007.
If you’re not sure which model you have you can find it in your vehicle’s log book.
The change is limited to petrol – drivers who have diesel cars won’t be affected.
The Department for Transport said E5 will still be provided at “most” UK forecourts.
The government said: “This ensures both a wide roll-out of E10 as the standard petrol grade and UK-wide provision of lower-ethanol E5 fuel, which will still be required for some vehicles and equipment.”
Drivers are advised to contact car manufacturers with any questions surrounding their specific vehicle.
Why is it changing?
The move will the UK reduce its CO2 emissions as E10 is a greener fuel, the government has said.
The difference between them is that E10 petrol contains up to 10% ethanol, compared to the 5% ethanol of E5.
It’s estimated that the more environmentally-friendly fuel could reduce CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year.
That’s the equivalent of taking up to 350,000 cars off the road, according to the RAC.
The switch to E10 won’t be immediate. Forecourts across the country can start offering E10 from September and they won’t all switch over at once.
What if I use the wrong fuel?
If you accidentally fill your non-compatible car with E10, don’t panic.
Using a single tank of E10 fuel in a vehicle that is not compatible should not be a major problem as a one-off – just fill up with E5 next time.
However, repeated use of E10 petrol in a non-compatible vehicle could damage your car’s engine.