With increasing environmental regulations and efforts to reduce carbon emissions, changes in the fuel sector are becoming more common across the UK and the European Union. One of these changes includes the introduction of E10 fuel, which contains a higher percentage of bioethanol.
The UK government introduced E10 as the standard grade of petrol in September 2021, replacing E5 as the default unleaded fuel at most petrol stations. This change was made to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and aligns with similar moves in other European countries.
Why was the E5 fuel label changed?
The older E5 gasoline contained up to 5% bio-components, whereas the new unleaded E10 fuel contains up to 10%. The UK government estimates that E10 could reduce CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
E10 fuel has been available at UK gas stations for some time but was only an alternative to E5 gasoline. This changed in September 2021 when E10 became the standard.
The previously popular E5 gasoline is still available but now under the SP95 and SP98 labels, which has a higher-octane rating and is often marketed as premium fuel. Unfortunately, not all vehicles are compatible with E10 gasoline, it’s estimated that around 600,000 vehicles on UK roads (about 3% of the total) may not be.
How is E10 fuel different from E5?
As mentioned earlier, unleaded E10 gasoline contains a higher proportion of bio-components than its E5 predecessor. This means it includes more organic compounds and less petroleum-derived content. As a result, its environmental impact and carbon footprint are significantly lower.
The fuel labels commonly seen at gas stations since September 2021 are SP95 E10 and SP98 E5. This indicates that most stations now offer 95-octane gasoline with up to 10% bioethanol, while 98-octane premium gasoline contains a maximum of 5% bio-components.
However, this is not a strict rule, and some larger stations may still carry SP95 gasoline labeled as E5, as well as SP98 fuel labeled as E10. However, this is rare and generally not cost-effective for fuel distributors.
Why did E10 replace E5?
Several factors contributed to the introduction of E10 fuel. First and foremost, environmental considerations played a role. The increased organic content in E10 gasoline helps reduce a vehicle’s carbon footprint. Bioethanol in this fuel lowers CO2 emissions and contributes to improved air quality.
Political factors also played a role, particularly in reducing dependence on imported oil and petroleum-based products. Some experts also argue that the change supports agricultural markets by creating demand for crops used to produce the organic compounds in E10 fuel. As the search for alternative fuels continues, modifying gasoline composition is a logical step.
Another important factor is cost. E10 fuel is slightly cheaper than E5 due to lower taxation on bio-components.
E10 gasoline has long been used in many countries worldwide, including the United States, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Romania, France and Spain. Since 2016, E10 has also been considered the standard test fuel for vehicles. This means there is little reason to worry about its impact on most engines.
Which cars can use E10 fuel?
Although most gasoline-powered vehicles are compatible with E10 fuel, some should not use it due to its higher bio-component content. Fortunately, this primarily affects older cars and some models manufactured before 2010.
Drivers who rarely use their vehicles may also encounter issues with E10. The higher organic content in this fuel makes it age faster and absorb moisture from the environment more readily.
Drivers of cars registered before 2002 are advised to use E5 super unleaded instead of E10. Fleet managers should ensure their vehicles are E10 compatible or make the necessary arrangements for older vehicles.
The website also includes instructions on what to do if your vehicle model is not listed, including how to find manufacturer recommendations regarding fuel usage.
E5 or E10 – Which fuel is better?
There is no clear answer to which fuel is better. E5 gasoline contains fewer organic compounds, leading to slightly higher CO2 emissions and air pollution. On the other hand, E10 fuel produces slightly less energy, increasing fuel consumption by approximately 1%–2%.
If you manage a fleet and track fuel consumption using telematics to reduce costs, opting for E5 may be more beneficial in the long run.
However, every driver can choose their preferred fuel type, whether it’s SP95 E10 or the slightly more expensive SP98 E5 (often sold as premium fuel).
The UK government plans to introduce a Fuel Finder service by the end of 2025, requiring retailers to publish live price data. This tool could help drivers save between one and six pence per litre. Fleet managers should consider using tools like the upcoming Fuel Finder service to optimise fuel costs across the fleet.
If you want a solution to help monitor fuel consumption in your vehicles and achieve greater savings, schedule a free consultation with one of our experts. They will explain how Webfleet can help you accomplish this easily.
