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The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation

Government confirms introduction of E10 petrol in September (1)

Date: Thursday 04 March 2021

The DfT has confirmed that, following the consultation carried out into E10 petrol, the fuel will be introduced into UK forecourts with effect from September 2021.

The DfT received 208 responses to the consultation, the responses came from

  • fuel suppliers
  • renewable fuel suppliers
  • agricultural organisations
  • motoring organisations
  • local government
  • private individuals.

Having analysed the responses, the DfT remained convinced that the preferred approach outlined in the original consultation document remained the best approach to introducing E10 in the UK and they plan to introduce E10 as the standard 95-octane petrol grade available UK-wide.

They state that E5 will remain available at all filling stations that supply at least 2 grades of petrol as the higher-octane ‘Super’ grade. This will ensure both a wide roll-out of E10 as the standard petrol grade and UK-wide provision of lower-ethanol E5 fuel, which will still be required for some vehicles and equipment.

To aid the public in adjusting to this change, the Department for Transport has also published guidance for motorists on E10 petrol and developed an online E10 vehicle compatibility tool.

Unleaded petrol currently contains up to 5% bioethanol, a grade known as E5, whereas E10 petrol contains up to 10% bioethanol and is not currently available.

The DfT arguments were that the introduction of E10 petrol:

  • will reduce CO2 emissions from petrol vehicles
  • could help the UK meet emissions reduction targets