Drivers have two weeks left to check cars before massive E10 petrol change

DRIVERS have just two weeks left to double check that their cars are compatible with new E10 petrol.

The fuel will become standard from September, but some drivers won't be able to use it to fill up their vehicles.

E10 is replacing the standard E5 petrol at forecourts across the UK from September.

The switch will help the UK reduce its CO2 emissions as E10 is a greener fuel, the government has said.

It’s estimated that the more environmentally-friendly fuel could reduce CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year.

That's the equivalent of taking up to 350,000 cars off the road, according to the RAC.

The difference between them is that E10 petrol contains up to 10% ethanol, compared to the 5% ethanol of E5.

Most cars will be able to run on E10 petrol, but around 600,000 older vehicles are not compatible with the new fuel.

Vehicles manufactured from 2019 onwards should have a label close to the petrol filler cap clearly marked E10 and E5 showing the fuel that can be used.

Drivers are advised to contact car manufacturers with any questions surrounding their specific vehicle.

For example, Vauxhall says: “E10 fuel can be used in all petrol-engine Vauxhall vehicles except models with the 2.2-litre direct-injection petrol engine (code Z22YH) used in Vectra, Signum and Zafira.”

These drivers will still be able to fill up their cars, but they'll have to spend more on expensive premium petrol.

We previously calculated that this could cost as much as £6 extra every time you fill up.

You can check if your car is compatible with the fuel by visiting the .

To check your vehicle's compatibility you will need to provide information on its manufacturer.

You will then be shown a list of which models can run on E10 and which can't.

The change is limited to petrol - drivers who have diesel cars won't be affected.

The Department for Transport said E5 will still be provided at "most" UK forecourts.

The government said: "This ensures both a wide roll-out of E10 as the standard petrol grade and UK-wide provision of lower-ethanol E5 fuel, which will still be required for some vehicles and equipment."

The different petrol grades will be clearly marked at fuel pumps.

If you accidentally fill your non-compatible car with E10, don't panic.

Using a single tank of E10 fuel in a vehicle that is not compatible should not be a major problem as a one-off – just fill up with E5 next time.

However, repeated use of E10 petrol in a non-compatible vehicle could damage your car's engine.