E10 fuel - guidance for Bentley owners

A more eco-friendly petrol is now being introduced to filling stations as the UK Government intends to make E10 the new standard petrol grade.

The change is being made to cut carbon dioxide emissions, the Department for Transport (DfT) says - but not all cars will be able to run on it.

According to the UK Government website, standard (95 octane) petrol will become E10.

E10 petrol contains up to 10% renewable ethanol, which is designed to help to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with petrol vehicles and tackle climate change. Petrol in the UK currently contains up to 5% renewable ethanol (known as E5).

E10 petrol is already widely used around the world, including across Europe, USA and Australia. 

The Government website says:

Almost all (95%) of petrol-powered vehicles on the road today can use E10 petrol and all cars built since 2011 are compatible.

If a petrol vehicle or equipment is not compatible with E10 fuel, owners will still be able to use E5 by purchasing the ‘super’ grade (97+ octane) petrol from most filling stations.

Petrol pumps will clearly label petrol as either E10 or E5.

The website also includes an E10 vehicle checker to enable owners to ascertain whether or not their vehicle is compatible with the fuel.

FBHVC guidance
Check out the FBHVC website for lots of information about E10 fuels along with trouble-shooting hints and tips.

Also see:
•    News release (News): Clarification on E10 fuel usage and labelling for historic vehicles (2 September) - click here to read.
•    Membership newsletter (Membership – Newsletter Archive – Issue 4 2021, page 8). This focuses on ethanol and aftermarket fuel additives along with maintenance recommendations when running classics on E10 - click here to read.

Further reading
Comprehensive BBC website article - click here to read. 

INFORMATION FOR BENTLEY OWNERS
What is the situation for BDC Bentley-owning Members whose cars are of all ages? 

Models built from 1990 onwards
Bentley Motors E10 fuel experts say the following:

All Bentleys from the 1990 model year will be fine to run on E10 fuel. However, the important detail is that 98RON gasoline will stay as E5 and our guidance is that Bentleys should always run on 98RON.

Vintage, Derby and models pre 1990
To find out if your car is able to run on the new E10 fuel, owners of Vintage, Derby and other pre-1990 Bentleys should:

• Contact the garage or specialist which currently maintains the car for the most appropriate advice
• Check out the Government website (as above).
• Check out the FBHVC website (as above).