A set of new driving laws will be introduced across the UK in November, as the rollout of "greener" E10 petrol continues.
The UK Government will launch a new campaign to raise awareness on the eco-friendly fuel, in the hopes it will cut carbon emissions in the country, reports The Express. Road users in the UK and Northern Ireland will be able to fill their vehicles up with the new type of petrol, as it is rolled out as the new standard grade of fuel.
The petrol has been made by blending up to 10 per cent renewable ethanol, and it will help the country decarbonise transport - given that it is greener than the current petrol available. Using it across the UK may contribute to cutting transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 annually.
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This emissions cut is the equivalent to a forest the size of the Isle of Wight capturing carbon every year. The Government will launch a campaign aimed at motorists in Northern Ireland, that will see new fuel pumps labelled as well as targeted digital advertising.
Around 95 per cent of cars in the UK are already compatible with the E10 petrol type. You can check if your car is eligible using a new online tool here.
The tool asks for information about the vehicle, before checking a large database that will tell you the cars compatibility. The rollout of E10 petrol will play a part in the UK's ambitions to decarbonise transport and reach its net zero goals.
The new petrol type could also support thousands of jobs throughout the supply chain, and boost career opportunities across the UK. British ethanol producer, Vivergo, has already seen this in motion, with 100 new jobs made since the introduction of E10.
The Government hopes that this is a sign of more job opportunities to come for the industry in the UK. Trudy Harrison, the minister for the decarbonisation of transport, has said it will be a "small switch" for drivers, that could have massive environmental benefits.
Trudy, who is also the MP for Copeland in Cumbria, added: "We’re determined to cut emissions from all our roads and clean up our air, as we accelerate towards a zero-emission transport future.
“Although more and more motorists are driving electric vehicles, there are steps we can take to reduce emissions from the millions of vehicles already on our roads.
“The small switch to E10 petrol will not only help drivers across the country reduce their environmental impact, but also could create thousands of jobs across the UK.”
A small group of older vehicles, that include classic cars and some from the early 2000's, continue to use E5 fuel, so the petrol type will continue to be made available for those road users. The E5 petrol will come under the super" petrol grade.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shailesh Vara said: “The Government is committed to supporting the growth of green energy across the UK and the introduction of E10 petrol will help reduce emissions of carbon dioxide on Northern Ireland roads.
“The decarbonisation of transport methods has an important part to play in achieving the UK’s net zero goals as well as creating opportunities for growth in our economy.”
The introduction of E10 will see renewable ethanol in petrol double, from the current petrol blend E5 containing no more than five percent ethanol. This will reduce emissions from millions of cars, in line with the UK Government's climate targets.
Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association (RTFA), said the move was “very welcome”. Hartnell added that most petrol cars that are used these days are optimised to run on E10 anyway.
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