E10 petrol in 2021?

ElephantBoy57

Hundreds of thousands of cars could be at risk of damage from new petrol expected to be introduced by next year.

Earlier this year the Government launched a consultation into making E10 petrol the standard fuel in the UK from 2021 to cut pollution levels. However, experts are warning that the fuel is not suitable for classic cars and even some relatively modern vehicles.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/lifestyle/cars/hundreds-thousands-cars-risk-damage-new-petrol-2893523

AdrianC

Scaremongering codswallop.

Every new petrol car sold here since 2011 is manufacturer-certified as fully E10-compatible, and many cars have been manufacturer-certified as compatible since around 2000. Many older cars will be, but the manufacturers simply haven't said so.

Old stuff will, at most, need fuel pipe replacing if it's ancient and barely clinging on to life with the E5 we've had as the standard since the introduction of unleaded in the 80s. Fuel pipe should be replaced periodically anyway.

The US has had E10 as the standard since the 70s, other EU countries have had it available for a decade or more. It's been the best-selling fuel in France for the last few years.

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At the moment, Esso super is ethanol free- unless you live in Scotland, Teeside, Devon or Cornwall.

I thought all super unleaded was, except dahrn saarf, but it appears that you could get anything as they all label the pumps e5, Esso is the only company that are prepared to state it is ethanol free.

Motorcyclists avoid ethanol like the plague that it is.  I've seen what US e10 petrol does to the in tank fuel filter on a 'Guzzi, I pay a little extra for unadulterated fuel.

onlyfoolsandparking

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At the moment, Esso super is ethanol free- unless you live in Scotland, Teeside, Devon or Cornwall.

I thought all super unleaded was, except dahrn saarf, but it appears that you could get anything as they all label the pumps e5, Esso is the only company that are prepared to state it is ethanol free.

Motorcyclists avoid ethanol like the plague that it is.  I've seen what US e10 petrol does to the in tank fuel filter on a 'Guzzi, I pay a little extra for unadulterated fuel.

Your not wrong there! I only put high octane (usually Shell V power) in my bike even though BMW says my bike can run on any unleaded whereas my cars I use whatever is the cheapest (currently Morrisons at 99.7) I suppose its always gonna be each to their own, ya pay your money, take your choice

Chrishazle

This has been under discussion for a long time on various car forums, including a couple of Porsche and MB ones I frequent. Basically all cars, even classics, will be OK on the high RON (normally 98-99) Shell V Power, Tesco Moventum or similar which will remain no more than 5% ethanol, it's only the 95RON standard unleaded that will become E10 - as it's been on the continent for quite a while! Occasionally on the continent you may find a 99RON pump with an E10 sticker on it - I did 6 years ago in Northern Spain and swiftly moved on to another petrol station.

FWIW Porsche GB advised years ago in writing that for their cars, any car 1996 or younger would be OK on E10, but 1995 and older should avoid it unless all fuel lines from the tank to the injectors had been changed to E10 compliant items - an expensive proposition compared to only using 98-99 RON fuel!

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The problem is The Government want 10% of road fuel burnt  to be biofuel, the easy way to do this is simply adulterate everything with 10% bio.  If too many people switch to super to avoid regular, then super will have to go e10 as well. At the moment, the sales of super are lower, and the mpg reduction from ethanol means even more regular is sold so they might make the 10%, if you factor in biodiesel fleet use.

DomGravy

Most UK cars would be OK, but who has tried to get into the business of doing up and flipping used and classic cars - I do worry about the knock on the market. It definitely seems to me that certain older models could start seeing a bit of fluctuation in price.

shown73

Well, I know my 2005 1.8sci Mondeo is considered a worthless clunker, But its my only car, has low mileage, and is in very good condition. Runs well, does all I ask of it. This change does worry me, just found out about it. Will I still be able to get appropriate fuel, I wonder, and how might it affect the mot emissions?

Ant555

Thanks - This info seems to have passed me by.   About to hit the Mazda forums to see if my 1991 Mx5 is at risk of anything, if its going to be an expensive year or if I need to simply find a petrol station that has the higher Ron fuel.

Flight3287462

Ah well that will be about 1 million acres that will have to switch over to beet or wheat etc that will have an impact on agriculture and food prices.

DomGravy

I saw that My Car Check has an E10 checker on their site where you can just bang your reg in. Might be worth checking there?