S U S TA I N
COVER
FOREC
F
Fuelling a gr
E10 petrol available at p
uel pumps across Great Britain are now more environmentally friendly following the introduction of E10 as the new standard grade of petrol. E10 contains up to 10% bioethanol, replacing E5 which has up to 5%, and is being introduced to cut carbon dioxide emissions. It has been estimated that the switch to E10 will cut CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year, or the equivalent of taking 350,000 vehicles off the road, and is part of the government’s 2050 net zero carbon target. All petrol vehicles built since 2011 are compatible with E10 (more than 95% of all petrol vehicles), but a small number of older vehicles, including classic cars and some from the early 2000s, can still access E5 petrol in the ‘Super’ grade. Motorists need to use the government’s free online E10 checker to see if their vehicle is compatible.
ALMOST UNNOTICEABLE E10 is not expected to be more expensive at the pump than current standard petrol, as the higher cost of bioethanol has already been included in the wholesale price of the fuel for some time. Although it can marginally impact fuel economy – generally around 1% – this will be almost unnoticeable to most drivers when making every day journeys. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Every journey matters as we drive forward the green industrial revolution, which is why the rollout of E10 is so important. It’ll help us cut road greenhouse gas emissions and meet our ambitious net zero targets. “Although more and more drivers are switching to electric, there are steps we can take today to reduce emissions from the millions of vehicles already on our roads – the small switch to E10 petrol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we accelerate towards a greener transport future.” A public education campaign was launched in June ahead of the introduction of E10. At the time, Transport Minister
10 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 71 / WEDNESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2021
