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Is your vehicle compatible with E10 petrol?

10 September 2021

E10 recently became the new petrol standard, replacing its less eco-friendly predecessor E5 petrol. 

The new standard has been introduced in hopes of reducing the overall quantity of fossil fuels from cars on UK roads ahead of the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.

Whilst the Department for Transport estimates that 95 per cent of all petrol-powered vehicles currently in the UK will be able to run on E10 and that all cars built since 2011 are compatible, at least 600,000 vehicles will not be compatible. 

How to find out if your car can run on E10 petrol

If E10 fuel is used in an incompatible vehicle, although the vehicle will still run, it could cause damage to rubber seals, plastics and metals. If you fill up with E10 by mistake, you should top up with E5 as soon as possible. 

A recent article by The Sun lists some of the vehicle models which are compatible with E10 petrol. 

For greatest accuracy, you should visit the E10 checker on the government website. It is important to note that the government issued the following warning: “The information is subject to change and we cannot guarantee its accuracy. If your vehicle is fitted with replacement parts this will also affect its accuracy”.

Many classic car manufacturers are not listed in this vehicle checker and therefore compatibility cannot be guaranteed. If your vehicle is not listed, or is listed as not compatible, you should continue to use E5 petrol which will be available at most filling stations and each grade will be clearly labelled on pumps. 

What is E10 petrol?

E10 petrol contains 10 per cent ethanol, an alcohol which is manufactured from plants such as sugar beet and wheat, to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The current grade – E5 petrol – contains just 5 per cent ethanol. 

The UK government predicts that this new petrol grade will reduce transport carbon dioxide emissions by 750,000 tones annually, which is equivalent to taking 350,000 vehicles off the road. 

Can I drive in Clean Air Zones and Ultra-Low Emission Zones using E10 petrol?

According to the government website, ‘Using E10 fuel will not affect whether you are able to drive in, or have to pay to enter, a clean air zone (CAZ), low emission zone (LEZ) or ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ). This is determined by your car’s Euro emissions standard and not by the fuel used’.

Contract hire and fleet management

Marshall Leasing is a Bank of Ireland-owned business which offers a commercial and flexible approach to business contract hire, contract purchase, sale and leaseback for cars and LCVs fleets and management of purchased fleets.

If you would like to find out more about our contract hire and fleet management services, please get in touch with us at info@marshall-leasing.co.uk or by calling 01480 414541. Alternatively, please complete our contact form. 

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