Fuel Types & Quality
E5 vs E10
What is E10 petrol?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 4 industry sources
E10 petrol is the standard unleaded petrol grade in the UK, blended with up to 10% bioethanol derived from renewable sources such as plants and waste materials. It replaced E5 (which contained up to 5% ethanol) as the default pump petrol in September 2021 to help reduce CO2 emissions from road transport.
What the 'E10' Name Means
Ethanol content:
The 'E' stands for ethanol and '10' refers to the maximum percentage of bioethanol blended into the fuel — up to 10% by volume.
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Renewable component:
The bioethanol is produced from plant materials and organic waste, making E10 a lower-carbon fuel than the E5 it replaced.
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UK standard since 2021:
E10 became the default 95 octane petrol grade at UK forecourts in September 2021, in line with a government mandate to cut transport emissions.
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How E10 Differs From E5
Higher ethanol blend:
E5 contained up to 5% bioethanol; E10 doubles that to up to 10%, which reduces tailpipe CO2 emissions by around 2% per tank.
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Slightly lower fuel economy:
Ethanol has less energy density than petrol, so some drivers notice a marginal reduction in miles per gallon — typically 1–3% — when switching to E10.
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E5 still available as 'Super' grade:
E5 is retained at most UK forecourts as the 97+ octane premium grade (labelled 'Super'), providing an option for incompatible vehicles.
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Is Your Car Compatible?
Most modern cars are fine:
The vast majority of petrol cars built from 2011 onwards are E10 compatible. Many vehicles manufactured before 2011 are also compatible.
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Older and classic cars may not be:
Some older vehicles, mopeds, and small engine equipment can be damaged by higher ethanol concentrations due to corrosion of rubber seals and metal components.
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Check the official tool:
The government's E10 vehicle checker at gov.uk lets you confirm compatibility by make, model, and year before you fill up.
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Finding E10 and E5 Near You
E10 is the default pump grade:
At almost every UK forecourt, the standard unleaded pump now dispenses E10 — no need to ask or look for a special label.
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Compare prices before you fill up:
Petrol prices vary by several pence per litre between stations on the same road. CheckFuelPrices shows live E10 prices at 4,000+ UK stations updated every 30 minutes.
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Sources
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