“With the focus being on future rapid electrification and the recent consultation to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, it’s easy to forget that there are already over 19 million petrol-powered cars in the UK. Its introduction on UK roads could cut transport CO2 emissions by 750 kilotons (0.75mt) of carbon a year from these vehicles – the same as removing 350,000 cars from our roads.
“E10 petrol consists of up to 10% renewable ethanol, which is made from sustainable crops or waste products, reducing the well-to-wheel CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, helping meet the climate change targets.
“UKIFDA and its members play a key role in the distribution of road transport fuels and we will continue to work with industry partners and government to transition towards 2050 with a greater availability of 100% renewable liquid fuels.
“Petrol cars manufactured since 2011 are designed to use E10 and the vast majority since 2000, drivers can start using the new E10 fuel without any concerns. However, a small number of older vehicles, classics and motorbikes may not be compatible.”
UKPIA has also welcomed the UK Government announcement that mandates E10 following consultation and will continue to seek close government-industry partnership on the rollout of the policy to enable a seamless transition for all consumers.
UKPIA director-general, Stephen Marcos Jones, comments:
“UKPIA has been calling for a mandated introduction to E10 since 2018 and we are pleased government has made this announcement today.
“With E10 grade fuel to power cars in the UK from September 2021, carbon emissions should continue to reduce in the transport sector, an important means for meeting the Net-Zero commitment.
“As UKPIA has set out in its Transition, Transformation, and Innovation Report, with the right policies, the UK could become a trailblazer in the development of low carbon liquid fuels and electric vehicle technologies, as well as maintaining its leading role as a hub for sustainable aviation fuels. We look forward to working with government to progress these opportunities further.”
Gaynor Hartnell, CEO of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association, also commented:
“There aren’t many opportunities for the UK to reduce its GHG emissions almost instantly – most take significant time and investment. Introducing E10 is an exception, in that it can reduce carbon emissions from petrol cars almost overnight. The British bioethanol industry contributes so much to the UK economy. It supports thousands of jobs both directly and in the supply chain, and as well as providing clean fuel, it produces an animal feed by-product. It offers farmers a market for lower-grade wheat that can’t be used for milling and a local source of protein feed, meaning less soy-based feed needs to be imported from South America.”
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