Changes to unleaded fuel that may affect you

Currently all UK forecourts are required to sell the new E10 unleaded petrol rather than the E5 unleaded fuel that it previously sold. The E10 fuel contains 10% bioethanol in each litre of fuel which is a renewable fuel created during the fermentation process of a wide variety of crops. By increasing the proportion of ethanol in unleaded fuel, indirectly it reduces carbon emissions which is good news for the planet.

So, are there any disadvantages for drivers who are having to use this new fuel? Thankfully, the answer to this question is very little. There may be a slight drop in fuel economy, but the majority of drivers will not notice the difference when all the other factors that affect fuel consumption are taken into account.

The main group of car owners that will need to find an alternative to using this new fuel will be those that own classic cars, or some cars manufactured pre-2011. The problem with the higher level of ethanol in the fuel is that in older vehicles it can cause rubber hoses and seals to deteriorate quicker making breakdowns more likely. Many garages still sell E5 petrol at a higher cost to the driver but for owners of valuable classic models they will need to use this and unfortunately shoulder the cost.