17 August 2021
E10 Petrol
From next month, petrol stations will be replacing the petrol you're using now, and replacing it with E10 petrol. But why?
The petrol you typically use(E5) to fuel your car will soon be replaced with E10 petrol, which is being introduced in order to lower emissions from your car in an effort to help prevent climate change from worsening. But, worry not. This is not an initiative that the government have suddenly thought up of. This sort of thing has been ongoing for atleast the past 10 years
So... what's the difference? What makes E10 produce less emissions?
The reason that E10 fuel is better for our planet, is because it is a blend of renewable sources, such as biodiesel and ethanol, plus the fuel we already use. Some reports suggest that by doing this to our fuel we have already reduced our emissions enough to equal a million less cars on our roads.
The E10 fuels will be made up of 90% unleaded fuel anf 10% ethanol, where as the E5 fuel we currently use is only up to 5%.
What is Ethanol?
It's an alcohol based fuel that is made from plants such as sugar cane and grains. The reason it reduces emissions is because it usually absords the CO2 that is produced.
What's the issue?
It's estimated that 92.2% of engines in the uk will be compatible with the new fuel, but all cars that were made after 2011 were made to be compatible with this sort of fuel. However, cars that were made before 2002 have been advised not to use the E10 fuel as it could cause problems with the vehicle.
There have also been reports that this new fuel won't be as efficient as E5, and this will particularly be a problem with cars that have smaller engines.
The higher bioethanol percentage could also cause rubber parts, gaskets, seals, metals and plastics to breakdown in older cars, and therefore leading to engine damage.