Transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced the introduction of a new, greener standard grade of petrol.
Pumps up and down the country will now serve E10 petrol, which could cut transport emissions by the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road each year, the Department for Transport said.
Over 95% of all petrol vehicles are thought to be compatible with E10, with the small number of older vehicles, including classic cars and some from the early 2000s, still able to access E5 petrol in the ‘Super’ grade.
Motorists can use the government’s free online E10 checker to see if their vehicle is compatible.
E10 will not be more expensive at the pump than current standard petrol, and although it can marginally impact fuel economy, it is generally only by around 1%.
E10 petrol is blended with up to 10% renewable ethanol and made up of materials such as low-grade grains, sugars and waste wood, making it greener than existing petrol.
The E10 roll-out this month will also support the increased production of biofuels at bioethanol plants in the north-east of England, DfT officials said, with the two plants providing around 200 skilled jobs directly.
It will also support thousands in the wider local economy including in the agriculture sector, which supplies the feed-wheat needed to run the plant.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'Every journey matters as we drive forward the green industrial revolution, which is why the rollout of E10 is so important. It’ll help us cut road greenhouse gas emissions and meet our ambitious net zero targets.
'Although more and more drivers are switching to electric, there are steps we can take today to reduce emissions from the millions of vehicles already on our roads – the small switch to E10 petrol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we accelerate towards a greener transport future.'
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: 'This is a positive and simple step to help reduce the carbon impact from road transport. While the vast majority of vehicles will be unaffected by the change, it is important for owners of older cars to use the government’s vehicle checker to see if they can use E10.
'Even if E10 is put in a non-compliant vehicle, drivers should not panic and can simply put super unleaded in their tank at the next available opportunity.'
