The New E10 petrol explained

Learn about the advantages of E10 petrol and use the GOV.UK vehicle checker to confirm whether your vehicle is compatible with the new E10.

During summer 2021, the standard (95 octanes) petrol grade in Great Britain will become E10. In Northern Ireland, this will happen in early 2022.

The change in fuel applies to petrol only. Diesel fuel will not be changing.

Almost all (95%) petrol-powered vehicles on the road today can use E10 petrol, and all cars built since 2011 are compatible.

If your petrol vehicle or equipment is not compatible with E10 fuel, you will still be able to use E5 by purchasing the ‘super’ grade (97+ octane) petrol from most filling stations.

Petrol pumps will clearly label petrol as either E10 or E5.

Check your vehicle is compatible with E10 petrol –

You can check if your car, motorbike or moped can use E10 petrol by using the .GOV E10 vehicle checker.

About E10 petrol

E10 petrol contains up to 10% renewable ethanol, which will help to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with petrol vehicles and tackle climate change. Petrol in the UK currently contains up to 5% renewable ethanol (known as E5).

E10 petrol is already widely used around the world, including across Europe, the US and Australia. It has also been the reference fuel against which modern cars are tested for emissions and performance since 2016. 

Reducing emissions –

CO2 is the main greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, and the principal advantage of E10 petrol is that it decreases overall levels of CO2-based vehicle emissions.

By combining petrol with up to 10% renewable ethanol, less fossil fuel is needed, helping us decrease carbon emissions and meet climate change targets.

The debut of E10 petrol at UK forecourts could decrease CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 350,000 vehicles off the road.

Renewable fuel blends, such as E10 petrol, are commonly introduced to reduce overall CO2 emissions. However, they have little impact on emissions associated with air quality and public health.

The production of renewable ethanol for blending with fossil petrol also results in valuable by-products, including animal feed and stored CO2.

Fuel economy –

Using E10 petrol can reduce fuel economy (the number of miles you can drive on a gallon of fuel). You may see a reduction of around 1%, but it isn’t very likely to be noticeable in everyday driving.

Other factors – such as your driving style or driving with under-inflated tyres or a roof rack – have a much more notable impact on fuel economy than using E10 petrol.

Compatibility –

Vehicles –

Around 95% of petrol-powered vehicles on the road are compatible with E10 petrol, which is growing all the time.

All new cars manufactured since 2011 are compatible with E10 petrol, and car companies also approve most cars and motorcycles manufactured since the late 1990s to use E10.

The subsequent vehicles, however, may not be compatible with E10 petrol:

• classic, cherished and older vehicles
• some specific models, especially those from the early 2000s
• some mopeds, especially those with an engine size of 50cc or under

Consult your manual or reach out to your vehicle or equipment manufacturer. Vehicle MOT garages or workshops may also be able to guide on cars, vans and motorcycles. If in doubt, proceed to use E5 (97+ octane) petrol.

Classic vehicles –

Many manufactures of classic cars are not listed in the GOV.UK vehicle checker. In addition, where older brands are no longer trading, we cannot provide precise information on vehicle compatibility.

Owners of vehicles not listed in the UK.GOV vehicle checker should continue to use E5 (97+ octane) petrol, which will remain readily available in the ‘super’ grade.

For more information, we recommend contacting classic vehicle owners’ clubs and associations, as well as garages that may be able to give advice.

What to do if your vehicle is not compatible with E10 petrol –

E5 petrol in the ‘super’ grade (97+ octane) will remain available at larger filling stations. Make sure you check the label before you fill-up.

What to do if you put E10 petrol in a non-compatible vehicle –

Fill up with E5 (’97+ octane) petrol next time.

Using a single tank of E10 petrol in a vehicle that is not compatible should not be a vital problem. Just make sure you fill up with the correct E5 (’97+ octane) petrol next time.

Unlike putting petrol into a diesel engine, you shouldn’t need to have a fuel drain. So on a one-time basis, your vehicle will not suffer engine damage as a consequence. However, prolonged use of E10 petrol in a non-compatible vehicle may cause harm and is not advised.

Mixing E10 and E5 petrol –

If your vehicle is compatible with E10 petrol, there’s no reason you can’t mix the two grades of petrol (E5 97+ and E10 95+). Combining them in the same tank or filling up with E5 if E10 is unavailable is safe.

Boats, aircraft and other petrol-powered equipment

Some other petrol-powered equipment may not be compatible with E10 petrol, including:

• boats
• petrol-powered garden tools or types of machinery, such as lawnmowers and chainsaws

Owners and operators should check their manual or ask the manufacturer or dealer before using E10.

Owners of light aircraft that currently use E5 petrol acknowledged as MOGAS should continue to use E5 petrol unless expressly authorised by their manufacturer or governing body.

Where is E10 Petrol Available?

E10 is changing the standard petrol grade in Great Britain, meaning E10 petrol will be available at virtually all petrol stations across England, Scotland and Wales.

In Northern Ireland, we expect the introduction to occur in early 2022, subject to legislative approval.

Petrol stations that offer two petrol standards will stock E10 (95 octanes) and E5 (97+ octane) petrol.

E5 (97+ octane petrol with no higher than 5% renewable ethanol), however, will continue available at filling stations that sell two grades of petrol.

Some rural, remote, or tiny filling stations may sell only E5 or E10 petrol as standard.

E10 & E5 Labelling

At the filling station –

At the petrol station, a circular ‘E10’ or ‘E5’ label will be noticeable on both the petrol dispenser and nozzle, making it easy for you to identify the correct petrol to use.

On your vehicle –

New vehicles manufactured from 2019 onwards should have an ‘E10’ and ‘E5’ label close to the filler cap displaying the fuel(s) they can use.

If your vehicle or equipment doesn’t have this label, you can check their compatibility using the GOV.UK E10 vehicle checker. 

If you’re still unsure, consult your user manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer.

Driving in clean air and ultra-low emission zones –

Using E10 fuel will not change whether you can 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 defined by your car’s Euro emissions standard and not by the fuel used.