A quarter of drivers are unaware that the UK’s standard unleaded petrol is changing this month, with a similar number still checking to see if their car is among the estimated 600,000 unable to run on fuel.
From September, E10 petrol will replace E5 as ordinary unleaded grade at service stations across Britain.
However, the RAC found that 24 percent of drivers were unaware of the changes and 27 percent had not checked whether their vehicle is compatible with the new fuel.
The new gasoline contains a higher blend of bioethanol – up to 10% compared to the 5% of the previous standard – and is designed to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles. The Department for Transport estimates that switching from E5 gasoline to E10 gasoline could reduce UK carbon emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
While most modern cars can run smoothly on the E10, up to 600,000 older models, including 350,000 daily drivers before 2000 as well as older and classic cars, are at risk of damage from its content. higher in ethanol.
RAC’s chief policy officer Nicholas Lyes has warned that drivers of older incompatible cars will face higher fuel bills in the future and may struggle to find suitable fuel near them.
He said: “E10 gasoline has already started appearing on the forecourt to replace the old E5 blend, and this process will continue at a steady pace in the weeks to come.
“But while the vast majority of gasoline car drivers aren’t affected, a sizeable minority will and the only way to be sure is to use the official online checker.
“Those who find their cars are incompatible will unfortunately have to seek and pay a hefty premium for the E5 unleaded super fuel. The cost of this operation could quickly add up for people who need to use their car regularly.
“Drivers who will continue to rely on E5 will also have to make sure that the gas station they visit stores fuel in the first place, or risk running out of fuel and having to call their breakdown service provider.
“We would also like to remind classic car owners to be careful not to accidentally fill up E10 and then leave it unused in the tank for long periods of time, which can damage plastics, metals and materials. expensive seals. “
Jim Holder, editorial director of What Car ?, stressed that the new fuel would not be a problem for the majority of motorists.
He said: “Although a lot has been said about 600,000 cars, mostly very old models, unable to use the new fuel standard, it is important to note that this is only a fraction of the costs. 31 million cars registered on UK roads, and that high, 97 octane gasoline will always fit these vehicles.
“Biofuels are an important tool to help reduce emissions from transportation.
“However, to highlight the variation in global standards and the time it takes for these initiatives to unfold, the change comes as the United Nations Environment Program celebrates the end of the use of leaded fuel in the industry. the world – a standard for gasoline that was banned in the UK over 21 years ago.
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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-08-31 23:01:00
