The Department for Transport has announced plans to require fuel retailers to offer the E10 fuel grade from 2021.
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 at UK forecourts.
An open consultation launched on 4 March proposes the introduction of E10 petrol as the 95 octane ‘premium’ grade and to limit availability of E5 petrol in the higher octane ‘super’ grade only.
The government said E10 petrol will reduce CO2 emissions from petrol vehicles and could help the UK meet emissions reductions targets.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) estimates that around 90 percent of the petrol-engined vehicles in the UK are compatible with E10. The government predicts that 98 percent of petrol cars in the UK will be fully compatible with E10 by 2021.
The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the plans.
“We have been asking for Government to mandate the introduction of E10 and to confirm the terms under which E5 can be offered. This consultation gives us the chance to ensure that E10 can be introduced on a timescale that’s feasible for fuel retailers, and we will work with members toward that objective,” said James Lowman, ACS chief executive.
New fuel labelling regulation, which came into force in September 2019, were designed to make the public familiar with the current fuel grades on offer.
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