the standard grade at petrol stations from 2021
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:37 am
Rover vehicles alert
phwoar sounds like bad newsTransport secretary Grant Shapps made the announcement this morning, revealing that the government was consulting on whether to make it the standard grade at British filling stations from 2021. Ethanol absorbs carbon dioxide, and by increasing the percentage in UK fuels, he estimated a reduction of CO2 emissions by about 750,000 tonnes per year – equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
Currently, UK fuels only contain up to five per cent ethanol (E5), whereas the E10 blend, which contains 90 per cent regular unleaded and 10 per cent ethanol, is offered at petrol stations across the EU.
But drivers of older cars have been left alarmed at the announcement, for the standardisation of such ‘biofuel’ could physically rule their car redundant. While new cars sold in the UK since 2011 have had to be E10 compatible, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has estimated almost 8 per cent of petrol-engined vehicles in the UK are not compatible with E10. In fact, owners of cars registered prior to 2002 are advised not to use E10 in their vehicle in order to avoid damage to seals, plastics and metals, caused by bioethanol's corrosive properties (due to its high water content).