E-10 fuel explained - is my car compatible? 

E-10 fuel is the standard grade petrol (95 octane) since September 2021 in Britain and November 2022 in Northern Ireland. These updates only affect petrol, so no need to worry - diesel fuel remains unchanged.

The good news is that nearly all (95%) petrol-powered vehicles on the road today can use E10 petrol, with all cars built since 2011 being fully compatible.

If your petrol vehicle or equipment isn’t compatible with E10 fuel, you can still use E5 by purchasing the ‘super’ grade (97+ octane) petrol at most filling stations.

You’ll find that petrol pumps are clearly labelled as E10 or E5, making it easy to choose what you need!

What is E10 petrol?

E10 petrol contains up to 10% renewable ethanol, which is key in lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from petrol vehicles and addressing climate change. Currently, petrol in the UK has up to 5% renewable ethanol, often referred to as E5. This is usually used in high-end sports vehicles or small equipment that is unable to take E10 petrol.

You’ll be pleased to know that E10 petrol is already popular in many places around the globe, including Europe, the US, and Australia. Plus, it has been the standard fuel used for testing new cars for emissions and performance since 2016.

Labeling between E10 & E5:

At a petrol station

At the petrol station, you’ll find a circular ‘E10’ or ‘E5’ label displayed on the petrol dispenser and nozzle, so you can easily identify the right petrol to use.

The ‘E10’ and ‘E5’ labels look like this:

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Labeling on your vehicle

If your vehicle was manufactured from 2019 onwards, you should find an ‘E10’ and ‘E5’ label near the filler cap indicating the types of fuel it can use.

If you don’t see this label on your vehicle or equipment, feel free to use the .GOV E10 vehicle checker to determine compatibility. If you’re still unsure, it’s always a good idea to consult your manual or contact your local Chorley Group or the vehicle manufacturer for assistance.

What cars are compatible with E10 fuel?

Around 95% of petrol-powered vehicles on the road are compatible with E10 petrol, and this number continues to grow.

If you have a new car manufactured since 2011, it’s compatible with E10. Most cars and motorcycles made since the late 1990s have also been approved by their manufacturers to use E10.

That said, there are a few types of vehicles that might not be compatible with E10 petrol:

classic, cherished, and older vehicles

some specific models, especially those from the early 2000s

certain mopeds, particularly those with an engine size of 50cc or under

You can easily check if your vehicle is approved to use E10 petrol by using the .GOV convenient E10 vehicle checker, which includes cars, motorcycles, and mopeds.

.GOV Compatibility Checker

Can I mix E10 and E5?

If your vehicle is compatible with E10 petrol, feel free to mix the two petrol grades (E5 97+ and E10 95+) without any worries. It’s safe to mix them in the same tank, or you can always fill up with E5 if E10 isn’t available.

Where can I find E10 petrol?

E10 is the standard-grade petrol you’ll find at nearly all petrol stations across the UK.

Most stations that offer two grades of petrol will carry E10 (95 octane) and E5 (97+ octane) options. You'll still find E5 (the 97+ octane petrol with no more than 5% renewable ethanol) at filling stations that have both grades available.

However, keep in mind that some rural, remote, or very small filling stations might only stock either E5 or E10 petrol as their standard offering.