New E10 petrol adds £300 for drivers who opt for ‘greener’ fuel, claims study

2023-02-23

New data found the roll out of E10 petrol is costing drivers over £1.7billion.

The new fuel was introduced in 2021 and 2022 which was rolled out to forecourts across England, Wales and Scotland.

It's blended with up to 10% renewable ethanol and it's supposed to be better for the environment.

READ MORE: Over half of motorists holding onto cars older than 10 years old due to cost of living

Now research found the real-life financial implications the greener fuel brings.

E10 petrol is 2.3% less efficient than its predecessor, meaning more fuel is needed to travel the same number of miles.

The fuel contains up to 10% renewable ethanol, 5% more than the old standard grade of E5.

Research from GoCompare Car Insurance found the shift to E10 equates to an eye-watering additional cost of £1.7bn.

This is estimated to be more than double the Government estimate of £701million.

In 2021, drivers travelling 8,000 miles (the national annual average) could have expected to pay around £866 for petrol.

But last year, both petrol and diesel prices soared to record levels.

As a result, 2022 saw prices for petrol reaching £1,168, a staggering increase of £302.

Ryan Fulthorpe, motoring expert at GoCompare, said drivers were being hammered by the costs.

He claimed getting fewer miles per gallon means spending more to drive the same distance.

'I got death threats for flaunting cellulite in bikini – but won't cover up'

Ryan added: "As a greener fuel, the shift to E10 is said to have the same impact as removing 350,000 cars off the road and will go a long way to support the UK bioethanol industry, which is sure to be a key future player in sustainable fuel.

"Yet, rather than subsidising and supporting this industry, the price has been pushed onto the consumer."

E10 petrol was recently launched in Northern Ireland back in November last year.

It will align the country with England, Scotland and Wales which welcomed E10 onto forecourts in September 2021.

Classic car owners will find many older vehicles aren't compatible with the new standard fuel.

Teen, 19, trolled for rare disorder which leaves her looking like four-year-old

Most cars will need to remain with E5 petrol, which is mostly only available at larger forecourts for a more expensive price.

Ryan continued: "In the meantime, drivers should think carefully about how they manage their petrol money.

"Walking or cycling where possible to decrease driven mileage will not only save you money on fuel but can also bring your car insurance premium down."

Want all the biggest Lifestyle news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Hot Topics newsletter

READ NEXT:

'My neighbour refused to stop parking on our drive – so I got their car towed'
Drivers warned keeping certain winter items in cars could lead to £2,500 fines
Motorist 'lucky to be alive' after tree crashes through car windscreen in snowstorm
Drivers warned of £200 fines and 3 points by committing common dashcam error
New motoring laws introduced today to help electric cars charge at home

Source: Read Full Article