DRIVERS with certain cars could be forced to use 'premium' fuel from today as a major change to petrol is being rolled out at filling stations.

Replacing what is known as E5 petrol, a new mix designed to be "greener" will replace unleaded at the pumps from Wednesday.

It comes just months after the Government confirmed the changes would be brought in at filling stations over the summer period.

But the new fuel, which does not affect diesel owners, will not be compatible with all cars and vehicles as the Government has warned.

Major fuel change: How to check whether your car is affected by new E10 petrol

E10 petrol, which is made with up to 10 percent bioethanol – a type of renewable fuel – is replacing E5, which is blended with up to 5 percent bioethanol.

It means that some cars over the age of ten will need to use the more costly 'super' grade, also known as premium fuel instead in order to prevent damage to components.

What the Government has said

The Department for Transport has admitted that E10 can “marginally” reduce fuel economy, but it insisted the impact is “almost unnoticeable to most drivers when making every day journeys”.

It stated that the rollout of E10 could cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year which is the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off of UK roads.

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.”

What the industry has said

AA president Edmund King 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.”

But not everyone is checking whether their car is compatible

An RAC survey of 1,450 UK drivers suggested that 27 percent of motorists are yet to check whether their car is compatible with the new fuel.

The firm’s head of policy Nicholas Lyes said: “E10 petrol has already started appearing on forecourts to replace the old E5 blend, and that process will continue at pace in the coming weeks.

“But while the vast majority of drivers of petrol cars aren’t affected, a sizeable minority will be and the only way to be sure is to use the official online checker.”

-- 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054