E10 Petrol Explained: What UK Drivers Need to Know

Summary

• E10 is now standard: It replaced E5 as the default unleaded petrol at UK filling stations in September 2021.
• Most cars are fine: Around 95% of petrol cars on UK roads can use E10 with no problems.
• Check compatibility: Some older and classic cars should use super unleaded (E5) instead.

If you've filled up recently, you've probably already used E10 petrol. It's the green-handle fuel at every UK station.

But what does E10 actually mean? Will it damage your car? And does it affect how far you can drive on a tank? Here's everything you need to know.

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What Is E10 Petrol?

E10 petrol contains up to 10% bioethanol. Bioethanol is a renewable fuel made from plants like wheat and sugar beet.

The "E" stands for ethanol. The "10" means it has up to 10% ethanol mixed with regular petrol.

Before E10, UK pumps sold E5 petrol. That contained up to 5% ethanol. So E10 simply doubles the amount of plant-based fuel in the mix.

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Why Did the UK Switch to E10?

The UK government introduced E10 to cut carbon emissions. Transport is the biggest source of CO2 in the UK.

E10 produces less CO2 than regular petrol. The Department for Transport says it could cut transport CO2 by 750,000 tonnes per year. That's the same as taking 350,000 cars off the road.

It's part of the UK's plan to reach net zero by 2050. Small changes at the pump add up to big savings in emissions.

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Is My Car Compatible with E10?

Most petrol cars made after 2011 can use E10 with no issues. Many older cars are compatible too.

Around 95% of petrol cars on UK roads work perfectly with E10. But about 600,000 vehicles are not compatible.

Cars that may NOT be compatible include:

• Cars made before 2002
• Some cars made between 2002 and 2011
• Classic and vintage cars
• Some mopeds and motorcycles

You can check if your car is compatible on the gov.uk E10 checker. Just enter your car's make and model.

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What If My Car Can't Use E10?

If your car isn't compatible, use super unleaded instead. Super unleaded is still E5 petrol (up to 5% ethanol).

Super unleaded costs more — usually 10p to 15p more per litre. But it won't damage your fuel system.

If you accidentally put E10 in a non-compatible car once, don't panic. A single tank won't cause serious damage. Just fill up with E5 next time.

But using E10 regularly in a non-compatible car can damage rubber seals, fuel hoses, and metal parts in the fuel system over time.

Tip: If you're not sure about your car, check the fuel cap. Many manufacturers have added E10 or E5 labels to the filler cap or inside the flap.

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Does E10 Affect Fuel Economy?

Yes, slightly. E10 contains less energy per litre than E5. This means you may get slightly fewer miles per gallon.

The government estimates about 1% lower fuel economy with E10. In practice, most drivers won't notice the difference.

On a 50-litre tank, that's roughly 5-10 fewer miles. Not a huge difference, but it adds up over a year.

Want to get better MPG regardless of fuel type? Check our fuel saving tips for easy ways to improve your economy.

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E10 vs E5: Quick Comparison

Feature	E10 (Standard)	E5 (Super Unleaded)
Ethanol content	Up to 10%	Up to 5%
Price per litre	Cheaper	10p-15p more
Fuel economy	Slightly lower	Slightly higher
Car compatibility	95% of cars	All petrol cars
CO2 emissions	Lower	Higher

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Can You Store E10 Petrol?

E10 doesn't store as well as E5. The ethanol absorbs water from the air. This can cause problems in cars that sit unused for long periods.

If you leave your car parked for more than a month, consider using E5 super unleaded. Or add a fuel stabiliser to the tank.

This is especially important for classic cars, motorbikes, or any vehicle that's not driven regularly.

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E10 is here to stay. For most UK drivers, it works perfectly and helps cut emissions. Just check your car is compatible, and you're good to go. Use our fuel finder to find the best petrol prices near you.

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