Get ready for the new, more expensive petrol that will cost more, get used faster, and can have a corrosive effect on your fuel tank and connectors!

No, it’s not a joke; Britain really is introducing a new type of petrol that can cause engine failure. This new petrol is being introduced in accordance with the ‘Renewable Energy Directive’ which was agreed to in 2009, and if your car is from before 2011 you’ll need to think twice before you fill up.

 

Introducing E10:

E10, named for the amount of ethanol it contains, is said to reduce petrol efficiency (MPG) by 3-4%. However in testing this, WhatCar discovered that the MPG decrease could be as much as 11.5% – equal to an extra cost of £202 in fuel over 12,000 miles (tested in a 0.9litre Dacia Sandero). In fact, the smallest decrease they found was a 5.9% (when testing a 1.6litre Mini Paceman)

Furthermore, during testing it was discovered that E10 petrol actually increased CO2 emissions. Supporters of the E10 argue that the plants used in creating the E10 fuel, consume CO2 therefore the fuel is not only from a renewable energy source, but can also reduce CO2 levels during production.

Currently around 7% of transport energy comes from renewable resources, so in order to achieve the targets set by the EU; this is the UK’s only option. So far, there have been delays over fear that it could drive up prices at the pumps as well as causing damage in older vehicles, but the day is fast approaching when we will see E10 as an option on petrol station forecourts.

 

What is E10 fuel?

E10 is a lower concentrate of petrol. The increased Ethanol is intended to help combat the production of greenhouse gases. However it is not as good for your car, as it is for the environment. Older cars will need to be especially careful as the extra ethanol in the petrol will likely cause damage and can lead to fuel leaks or even engine failure.

 

When is this happening?

Don’t panic! The petrol won’t get switched overnight. The plan is to introduce the new E10 at stations across the UK and then slowly phase out the old 5% petrol. For people with older vehicles this may mean checking which stations are planning to keep their 5% pumps and planning your trips to make use of these. We know for sure that 5% should still be available at least until January 2017, and recommendations have been made to keep it available at a few forecourts beyond then.

 

Who will this affect the most?

The drivers who will most suffer are those who will be least able to afford it. Anyone with an older car or with a cheaper model will find themselves at the higher end of fuel inefficiencies. Bigger, more powerful engines have seen the least decrease in fuel efficiency during testing.

 

Should I switch to an Electric to avoid the added costs?

Well the point of introducing this new fuel is to increase the amount of renewable energy we are using, so switching to an electric or hybrid car would be better for the environment – but you’re unlikely to save money by doing so. The increase in cost is estimated to be about 1pence per litre, although it will also increase depending on how often you will need to fill up your tank.

 

Will the EU Referendum affect the implementation of E10?

With the EU referendum fast approaching, a few people asked the question “If Brexit happens, does this mean E10 won’t?” It is quite likely that Britain will continue to introduce the E10 petrol whether or not we are part of the EU.

Jonathan Murray, Head of Policy and Operations at the Low Carbon Vehicles partnership has been pushing for E10 to be introduced for over a year, saying that “There really isn’t anything else you could deploy in the timescale that would get anywhere near that target” this comes amid concerns that biofuels are actually worse for the environment than previously thought forcing new research to be conducted into alternate biofuels, shifting from crop-based biofuels towards renewable fuel from waste.

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