E10 fuel is designed to be a more eco-friendly petrol and is the now standard petrol grade, following its introduction to UK filling stations from September 2021.
Although E10 fuel replaced E5 petrol at the pumps, not all cars are able to run on it. We'll look at that in more detail in a moment. First though, let's take a look at why the Government decided to introduce E10 fuel...
Why did the Government make E10 fuel the new petrol standard?
In a bid to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the UK, the Government decided to change the standard grade of petrol from 95% octane and 5% ethanol (known as E5 at the petrol pumps) to a mix that contains 10% renewable ethanol and the rest octane. No prizes for guessing where the name E10 originates from.
By changing the mix of the fuel, the level of CO2-based vehicle emissions should be reduced. The Government anticipates that this could cut transport CO2 emissions by up to 750,000 tonnes a year. To put that into a little more perspective, that's equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
How does E10 fuel affect fuel economy?
With E10 petrol already in use across much of the developed world, including Europe, the US and Australia, E10 is the fuel that's been used to test a cars performance and emissions since 2016.
However, the UK Government recognises that E10 petrol can see a slight reduction in fuel economy, though this is like to be only around 1%.
How much does E10 fuel cost?
Before introducing E10 fuel the UK Government carried out an impact assessment and found that using E10 fuel was likely to cost around 0.2p per litre more than E5 petrol. That equates to a £1 increase when filling up a 50-litre fuel tank on your car.
Currently, E10 makes up 7% of the cost of a litre of petrol. This is 11.51p based on the latest fuel prices, which have risen dramatically in 2022 due to the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine and subsequent sanctions.
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Is your car compatible with E10 fuel? E10 checker.
Around 95% of petrol-powered vehicles are compatible with E10 fuel. But how do you know if your car is compatible with E10 petrol? The good news is that all new cars manufactured since 2011 are compatible with E10 petrol. However, there are some cars that might not be compatible with E10 petrol:
- Classic cars
- Some specific models of car, with most being manufactured from the early 2000s
- Some mopeds, particularly those with under 50cc
If you want to double-check if your car is compatible with E10 petrol, then we've compiled a quick reference E10 fuel checker at the bottom of the page. You'll find all major manufacturers covered and you'll be able to easily see which models will and won't run on E10 fuel. Otherwise you can use the Government's E10 vehicle checker.
What if your car isn't compatible with E10 fuel?
If you find your car isn't compatible with the new E10 petrol - and there's estimated to be around 600,000 cars on the road that aren't able to happily run on E10 fuel - then you've got a couple of options.
First up is the option of using Super Unleaded or Premium petrol, with these having 97 and 99 octane. The Government has said that these fuels will continue to be available and should provide better performance. You will pay more for these fuels though.
Alternatively it might be time to look at part exchanging your current older car if it isn't compatible and look for something a bit newer that will happily run on E10 (or even electric). You can get a valuation for your car so you know what you can expect to get for it when you trade it in. Check out our guide to the best electric cars or best family cars as a starting point.
What if you use E10 fuel in a non-compatible car?
There are a number of reasons why continued use of E10 fuel in some cars is not recommended. Fuel containing ethanol can turn corrosive if left in long-term storage, while ethanol's high solvency can affect seals and gaskets used in some fuel systems. Finally, combustion can be affected, with ethanol affecting cold start performance.
Unlike putting diesel in a petrol car or petrol in a diesel car, you don't need to drain the tank to avoid permanent damage to your car and engine if you put E10 fuel in your car by mistake.
The Government suggests that putting E10 petrol in a non-compatible car on a one-time basis should not result in your car's engine being damaged as a result. That said, it recommends avoiding prolonged use of E10 petrol in a non-compatible car as this can result in long term harm to the engine.
If you do fill up with E10 fuel, don't panic - just remember to fill up with super unleaded or premium fuel next time. It might even be worth topping up with one of these fuels once you've used up some petrol and you've got some space in the fuel tank.
Any Alfa Romeo with a petrol engine produced from January 1st, 2011 is cleared to run on E10 petrol. As well as this, E10 fuel is also cleared for use in the following petrol Alfa Romeo models:
- Alfa Romeo MiTo (all engines)
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta (all engines)
- Alfa Romeo 159 (1.8 litre 16V, 1.8 litre TBi 16V, 3.2 litre JTS V6)
- Alfa Romeo Brera (1.8 litre TBi 16V, 3.2 litre JTS V6)
- Alfa Romeo Spider (1.8 litre TBi 16V, 3.2 litre JTS V6)
- Alfa Romeo 8C (4.7 litre 32V)
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E10 fuel is compatible with all Audi petrol cars with the following exceptions:
- Audi A2 1.6 litre FSI, model years 2003-2005
- Audi A3 1.6 litre FSI, model year 2004
- Audi A3 2.0 litre FSI, model year 2004
- Audi A4 2.0 litre FSI, model years 2003-2004
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The good news is if you own a BMW, all petrol-powered models are cleared to be used with E10 petrol regardless of their age. BMW does say though that you should observe the minimum octane required according to the owner's manual. That shouldn't be an issue for most owners, but those with performance variants (like the M3 or M5 for example), should carry on using super unleaded or premium fuels.
All Citroën cars with petrol engines made since January 1st, 2000 are compatible with E10 petrol.
All petrol-powered Dacia cars are compatible with E10 petrol.
E10 petrol is cleared for use with all Fiat cars with petrol engines (Euro 3 emission levels or newer), starting from 2000. There are a couple of exceptions however which shouldn't be used with E10 petrol:
- Fiat Barchetta (1.8 litre 16V)
- Fiat Bravo/Brava 182 (1.6 litre 16V)
- Fiat Doblò (1.6 litre 16V)
- Fiat Marea (1.6 litre 16V, 2.0 litre 16V)
- Fiat Multipla (1.6 litre 16V)
- Fiat Palio (1.6 litre 16V)
- Fiat Punto 188: (1.8 litre 16V)
- Fiat Stilo: (1.6 litre 16V, 1.8 litre 16V, 2.4 litre 20V)
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All petrol-powered Ford cars made after 1992 are cleared to run on E10 fuel with the exception of the Ford Mondeo 1.8 litre SCI (2003 to 2007). Ford also states though that personal imports not approved by Ford are not included.
E10 petrol is cleared for use in all European Honda models with petrol engines equipped with Honda's electronic control fuel injection system (HONDA PGM-FI). This technology was first introduced in the early 1980s and used in most of the brand's petrol engines - check the owner's manual if you're unsure.
All Jaguar cars with petrol engines made from 1992 are cleared to run on E10 petrol.
All petrol-powered Jeep cars are compatible with E10 petrol.
According to Kia, it approves the use of petrol with an ethanol content up to 10%, which includes E10 petrol. However, Kia does state that should you experience any problems from driving with E10 fuel to stop using it and instead use super unleaded or premium unleaded.
All Land Rover petrol-powered vehicles made from 1996 are cleared to run on E10 petrol.
All European Lexus models with petrol engines made after January 1998 are cleared to run on E10 fuel. There are a couple of exclusions though:
- Lexus IS250 (2.5 litre V6 with engine 4GR-FSE made between August 2005 and September 2007)
- Lexus GS300 (3.0 litre V6 with engine 3GR-FSE made between January 2005 and September 2007)
- Lexus LS460 (4.6 litre V8 with engine 1UR-FSE made between August 2006 and September 2007)
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Petrol-powered Mazda cars are compatible with E10 fuel if they were introduced in 2002 onwards.
All Mercedes-Benz petrol-powered vehicles are compatible with E10 petrol with a couple of exceptions:
- First generation direct injection C-Class C200 CGI (W203) and CLK 200 CGI series (C209) made between 2002 and 2005
- Cars not equipped with three-way catalysts, models retrofitted with three-way catalysts or produced with a carburettor. Mercedes notes that these are mainly vehicles older than 25 years
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All MINI petrol models launched after 2000 are cleared to run on E10 petrol.
Unless you have a GDI engine (gasoline direct injection) all Mitsubishi petrol cars are compatible with E10 petrol.
If your petrol Nissan was built after January 1st, 2000, then it's cleared to be used with E10 petrol.
All Peugeot cars with petrol engines made since January 1st, 2000 are compatible with E10 petrol.
E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Porsche cars with petrol engines since 1998 (though if you have a 1997 Boxster, that's also compatible).
E10 fuel is compatible with all Renault petrol cars sold since 1997 with the following exceptions:
- Renault 19
- Renault Megane 1 (2.0 litre F5R 700, 2.0 litre F5R 740)
- Renault Laguna 2 (2.0 litre F5R 782)
- Renault Laguna 2 (2.0 litre F4R 764 Turbo and 2.0 litre F4R 765 Turbo made between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st, 2002)
- Renault Espace 4 (2.0 litre F4R 790 Turbo and 2.0 litre F4R 794 Turbo made between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st, 2002)
- Renault Velsatis (2.0 litre F4R 762 Turbo and 2.0 litre F4R 763 Turbo made between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st, 2002)
- Reanult Avantime (2.0 litre F4R 760 Turbo and 2.0 litre F4R 761 Turbo made between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st, 2002)
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E10 petrol is compatible in the following SEAT models with petrol engines:
- SEAT Ibiza (starting from model year 2002)
- SEAT Cordoba (starting from model year 2003)
- SEAT Leon (starting from model year 1999)
- SEAT Toledo (starting from model year 1999, excluding the 110 kW 2.0 litre FSI BLR engine manufactured up to June 2004)
- SEAT Altea, Altea XL and Altea Freetrack (starting from model year 2004, excluding the 110 kW 2.0 litre FSI BLR engine manufactured up to June 2004)
- SEAT Alhambra (starting from model year 2001)
- SEAT Exeo and Exeo ST (starting from model year 2009)
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E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Skoda vehicles with petrol engines with the following exception:
- Skoda Felicia (1.3 litre OHV engines made between 1994 and 2001). Skoda does have a retrofit option for these engines to make them compatible with the use of E10 petrol – owners are advised to speak with their dealer.
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E10 petrol is cleared for use in all petrol engine Smart vehicles.
All Subaru cars made after January 1st, 1991 are cleared to run on E10 petrol with the following exceptions:
- All Vivio models
- Justy manufactured before April 1994
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Suzuki states that E10 petrol is cleared for use in all current production models with petrol engines, though for older models it asks you to refer to the owner's manual.
E10 petrol is cleared for use in all European Toyota petrol engined models made from January 1998, excluding:
- Toyota Avensis (2.0 litre with engine 1AZ-FSE made between July 2000 and October 2008)
- Toyota Avensis (2.4 litre with engine 2AZ-FSE made between June 2003 and October 2008)
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Petrol-powered Vauxhall cars are cleared to run on E10 petrol with the following exceptions:
- Models with the 2.2 litre direct injection petrol engine used in the Vectra, Signum and Zafira (motor code: Z22YH)
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E10 fuel is compatible with all Volkswagen petrol cars with the following exceptions that used the first generation of FSI engines:
- Volkswagen Lupo (1.4 litre (77 kW) made from August 2000 to November 2003)
- Volkswagen Polo (1.4 litre FSI (63 kW) made from February 2002 to June 2006)
- Volkswagen Golf IV (1.6 litre FSI (81 kW) made from November 2001 to October 2006)
- Volkswagen Golf V (1.4 litre FSI (66 kW) made from November 2003 to November 2004, 1.6 litre FSI (85 kW) made from August 2003 to May 2004 and 2.0 litre FSI (110 kW) made from January 2004 to May 2004)
- Volkswagen Bora (1.6 litre FSI (81 kW) made from October 2001 to September 2005)
- Volkswagen Touran (1.6 litre FSI (85 kW) made from November 2002 to May 2004 and 2.0 litre FSI (110 kW) made from October 2003 to May 2004)
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E10 petrol is compatible for use in all Volvo cars with petrol engines introduced to the market since 1976. Volvo does state though that this is based upon servicing and other conditions according to the equipment and material with which the vehicle was originally equipped.
E10 petrol is not cleared for a limited number of S40 and V40 models with petrol engines produced in the mid-1990s with a 1.8 litre GDI engine.
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