The RAC Foundation is warning motorists to be aware of whether or not their car can be fuelled by the greener E10 petrol
BRITISH motorists could be risking engine damage to their cars if they fill up with a 'cleaner' petrol that is being considered for sale at UK pumps.
E10 petrol - although compatible with the majority of newer vehicles - can not be used in some older motors.
The RAC Foundation is now warning 869,000 car owners to be aware of the incompatibility should the petrol become available.
Its introduction is currently the subject of a consultation, with Government edging on the side of caution in case there is confusion about what cars can be fuelled by E10.
Larger petrol stations may be required to supply both types of fuel so all cars can fill up.
Over 42,000 Volkswagen Golf models on UK roads can not use E10, alongside 33,500 Nissan Micras and 27,000 Mazda MX-5 cars.
However, the number of incompatible cars is due to drop to around 634,000 by June 2020.
Car owners in Cornwall, Wiltshire and Birmingham would be most affected if E10 replaced traditional petrol, with over 10,000 vehicles unable to use the fuel in each of the three regions.
Although already available globally, no UK petrol station currently provides the cleaner fuel.
The petrol has a maximum of 10 per cent biofuel content, whereas the majority of British petrol only contains around five per cent.
Steve Gooding, RAC Foundation director, said: “As and when E10 appears on the forecourts, drivers need to know whether their cars can use it without being damaged.
“This analysis shows that even in a couple of years’ time there will still be hundreds of thousands of cars on our roads that are incompatible with the new fuel.
“Whilst some of those incompatible with E10 fuel will be historic models, many will be old but serviceable everyday run-arounds that people on a tight travel budget rely on to get about.
“The good news is both that the vast majority of cars on our roads are able to run on E10 and that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has recognised the need to protect the users of those older vehicles which are not E10 compatible.
“It will be interesting to see whether the current consultation generates support for the Government’s proposed way forward.”
The full study and results can be found .
