E10 petrol, the new standard grade of unleaded, was first introduced in England, Scotland and Wales in September 2021, with Northern Ireland seeing the fuel on its forecourts on November 1. The petrol is blended with up to 10 percent renewable ethanol and will help Northern Ireland to decarbonise transport, as it is greener than existing petrol.
It is hoped the “greener” fuel will cut carbon emissions in the country, as the Government looks to decarbonise transport across the UK.
When E10 was introduced in England, Scotland and Wales, E5 was upgraded to being the standard of super unleaded.
This meant that most fuel forecourts kept the fuel in the super unleaded form, in addition to E10 as the new standard grade of regular unleaded.
Around 95 percent of petrol cars are already compatible with E10 petrol, with the Government’s new campaign prompting drivers to use a fuel checker to see if their car can use it.
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A third reader, mikenobike, suggested: “Time to scrap E10. It’s a fallacy it saves CO2. In my 1.4, I lose four to five mpg by using E10.
“No one can convince me that the CO2 savings from E10 aren’t wiped out by the necessity to burn another two to three gallons extra each week.
“It’s highly likely I’m putting out more CO2 with those extra two to three gallons than if I used E5.”
According to RAC Fuel Watch, regular unleaded petrol is selling for an average of 165.75p per litre, while super unleaded will set drivers back around 178.85p per litre.
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 new cars are tested for emissions and performance since 2016.