Angry motorists have slammed the 'inferior' E10 petrol and called for a return to the previous standard. Some have even gone as far as saying the fuel type has had an impact on their performance of their car.
E10 is widely used across the globe, including throughout Europe, the US and Australia, with Northern Ireland introducing it to forecourts earlier this month. It is also the reference fuel against which new cars are tested for emission and performance, something introduced in 2016, reports The Express.
However, some drivers report seeing issues with their fuel economy since the switch. One said: “E10 is an inferior fuel as the additional ethanol content gives it three percent less energy so will not deliver the same mpg.”
Another said: “E10 is utter junk. Lower mpg and poor performance.
“Doesn't last long in the tank as it absorbs water from the air. Motorists getting fleeced again.”
As a result, some drivers have spoken of their return to E5 petrol, even if they are paying extra for super unleaded. One Express reader said: “I use E5 all the time, my car runs better on it.”
Using E10 petrol can slightly reduce fuel economy, with the Government estimating a drop of around one percent. Almost all (95 percent) of petrol-powered vehicles on the road today can use E10 petrol, while all cars built since 2011 are compatible.
A handful of people however report issues with lawnmowers and other garden equipment while using E10. One motorist, using the handle fransam11, claimed: “None of my garden machinery runs well on this veg oil. Our cars run well on the old E5 but hate the E10. It is a con.”
Another reader complained of having their lawnmower “splutter’ and “cut out” when using E10 petrol, rather than the old standard grade of E5. In general, people are urged to exercise caution when putting fuel into their garden machinery.
The higher ethanol content attracts water which can cause problems in starting or running the equipment, or even damage the lawnmower’s fuel system. Ethanol absorbs moisture from the atmosphere which could lead to corrosion of parts in the fuel system, posing a safety risk and problems with equipment running smoothly.
These problems tend to occur if the fuel is left in the tank for long periods of time, particularly over the wetter and colder months of the year. Honda, for example, has clarified that all Power Equipment products with petrol engines, produced for the EU market since 1993, are compatible with E10 petrol.
The official line from the UK Government is to check the product manual or ask the manufacturer or dealer before switching from E5 to E10 petrol. AA technical specialist, Greg Carter, warned against using E10 in lawnmowers and recommended only buying the ‘super unleaded’ for garden equipment.
"Petrol-powered garden machinery and generators are also likely not to be compatible, so these should use super unleaded after September," he told ThisIsMoney.com.
