More than a quarter of drivers still have to check whether their car is compatible with the new fuel despite the rule change coming into force, warned the RAC.
Drivers are encouraged to use the government’s online tool to verify that their car can use the new fuel or that they risk corrosion on seals, plastics and metals, and potential fuel leaks.
Leaving E10 gasoline in the tank of a vintage car that may not be used as often could cause costly damage, warned Mr Lyes.
“We would also like to remind owners of classic cars that they should not accidentally refill E10 and then leave it unused in the tank for a long time – which can lead to expensive damaged plastics, metals and seals. ”
Any car made after 2011 should be compatible with E10, and the government says it will work on more than 95 percent of cars.
Price difference “not noticeable for most drivers”
Using the wrong fuel is unlikely to cause problems on rare occasions, said Edmund King, AA president.
“Even if E10 is put in a non-compliant vehicle, drivers shouldn’t panic and can just add super unleaded to their tank at the earliest opportunity,” he said.
The new E10 will be the same price at the pump, but is expected to increase fuel costs by around 1.6 percent as it is less efficient, meaning drivers will have to buy more per mile, despite the government said that the difference would be “almost” imperceptible to most drivers ”.
The government added that using E10 could cut CO2 emissions from transport by 750,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent of removing 350,000 cars from UK roads, and is promoting the move as part of their drive to create a greener transport system.
However, some environmental groups fear that the rise in biofuels could lead to plant raw materials displacing land that is needed for other uses such as tree planting or food production, and the creation of monocultures that reduce biodiversity.
