E10 petrol confusion

INVESTIGATION CUSTOMER CONFUSION OVER THE PUMPS

The introduction of E10 fuel was supposed to improve things but instead many have been left scratching their heads.

High-octane super unleaded petrol is in short supply across the UK after the introduction of the new E10 fuel at the start of September.

This blend of unleaded contains a 10 per cent ethanol mix made from fermented plants and is considered a ‘biofuel’, with a greener manufacturing process.

But the lack of information around the new fuel and its suitability for certain vehicles has led to confused motorists clearing the forecourts of super unleaded, which is still refined to the previous E5 ethanol blend.

One Tesco forecourt manager in Cambridgeshire reported running out of E5 fuel after his site had had a run on the company’s Momentum-branded petrol, which has an octane rating of 99 RON and is of E5 formula.

Similar shortages were reported nationwide, with one driver in Cornwall claiming to have visited six sites to find no E5 available.

The Department for Transport (DfT) says a fuel made from plants is closer to being carbon-neutral, as before the plants are fermented they naturally filter carbon from the air. It says the switch to E10 in the UK will reduce carbon emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road.

But inaccuracies with the government’s online E10 checker have left thousands of drivers unsure whether or not their cars can use the new fuel, with cars from different model years and identical engines (such as the Fiat Punto and Renault Clio) being listed as both compatible and incompatible.

There have also been inaccuracies reported with more recent BMW models not being E10-suitable when they are, while the site lists some classic models such as the original VW Beetle as being safe for use with E10 when they’re not.

The DfT is requiring the continued availability of a ‘protection-grade’ lower ethanol content E5 fuel for some high-performance cars and older vehicles, as they aren’t compatible with the higher ethanol content of E10. The ‘protection-grade’ fuel is the higher

Drivers who have no choice but to use super unleaded E5 petrol will be paying through the nose.

octane 97+ super unleaded, which the government has committed to keeping available until at least 2026.

Sir Greg Knight, MP for East Yorkshire and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, has warned the public to be alert and exercise ‘extreme caution’ before using E10, especially those with older models.

He questioned the effectiveness of ‘the obscure and vague warnings’ that have so far been given over incorrect E10 use and has raised his on-going concerns with the government.

Sir Greg warned: ‘I question the accuracy of this advice. The government needs to be clear, highly visible and accurate in its messaging.’

The introduction of the new fuel has also been criticised for its impact on fuel economy, as it burns less efficiently than the old blend.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: ‘With the price of petrol at its highest for eight years [as of August 2021], those drivers who have no choice but to use super unleaded E5 petrol will be paying through the nose, as it’s averaging around 147p a litre – that’s 12p more expensive than the current UK average for standard unleaded. This will quickly mount up for anyone who has to drive a lot of miles to get to work every week.’

Around one million cars in the UK are reported to be non-E10 compatible, says the RAC, and Williams added: ‘It’s also probably the case that many of those driving older cars will already be from lower income backgrounds, so they will end up being even worse off.

‘And those with E10-compatible cars will unfortunately find they are getting fewer miles to the gallon as the fuel is less efficient than E5 fuel, due to it containing five per cent more ethanol.’ The online E10 checker has some inaccuracies

The government needs to be clear, highly visible and accurate in its messaging.