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No need to panic-buy fuel ahead of switch to greener E10 petrol, says AA

Joanna Faith
Written By:
Joanna Faith
Posted:
Updated:
02/08/2021

Drivers do not need to panic-buy fuel ahead of the introduction of greener E10 petrol next month, the AA has said.

While some motorists may be concerned that the new fuel will not be compatible with their car, the motoring group said the vast majority of vehicles will “run fine” on E10.

Forecourts have already started changing the E5 logos for E10 on their standard unleaded pumps ahead of the fuel’s official introduction in September.

The switch, which is part of the government’s drive to reduce CO2 emissions, will see the amount of bio-ethanol added to unleaded petrol increased from 5 per cent to 10 per cent.

It is estimated the move will save around 750,000 tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere, the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road.

While some older cars could be damaged by prolonged use of E10, over 98 per cent of petrol cars in the UK can run perfectly well on it, according to the AA.

All petrol cars built after 2011 are compatible with the fuel, and most petrol cars built after 2001 will also be fine using it.

Motorists who drive incompatible cars can use super unleaded, which will remain at 5 per cent.

The AA warned petrol powered garden machinery and generators are unlikely to be compatible with the new E10 fuel, so these should use super unleaded after September.

Greg Carter, AA Technical specialist, said: “Over 98% of petrol cars in the UK can run perfectly well on E10, but some older models, classic cars and motorcycles shouldn’t use it.

“The extra bio-ethanol content can be more corrosive to older fuel system components, so drivers of older cars and motorcycles should check the Government website before heading to the pump.”