Home Miscellaneous E10 petrol – what is it and can I use it in my Toyota?

E10 petrol – what is it and can I use it in my Toyota?

By Joe Clifford

The new E10 petrol grade is being introduced across the United Kingdom from September 2021. The move is part of the government’s strategy to reduce harmful emissions from transport

Although the new E10 petrol retains the same 95-octane rating as existing unleaded petrol, it contains a much higher proportion of ethanol. Currently, all petrol supplied at filling stations contains a five per cent mix of ethanol, which is why it is known as E5. However, from September 2021, that proportion will be doubled in standard grade petrol. The fuel will be identified by the code E10.

This change will not affect Toyota owners with a diesel-powered vehicle.

Which Toyota models can use E10 petrol?

If your Toyota has a petrol engine or hybrid powertrain and was officially produced for European markets since January 1998, it will be compatible with E10 petrol.

The only exceptions to this rule are the following vehicles:

  • Toyota Avensis with 2.0-litre 1AZ-FSE engine made between July 2000 and October 2008.
  • Toyota Avensis with 2.4-litre 2AZ-FSE engine made between June 2003 and October 2008.

If your vehicle was produced before January 1998, it cannot use E10 fuel.

Can you use E10 petrol in imported cars?

If your car is an imported model that was not officially sold in European markets, we recommend staying on E5 by using super unleaded, which has a higher octane rating. Having received queries from owners regarding specific imported models, we are investigating this further.

E10 petrol

How can I check if my Toyota can use E10 petrol?

This can be confirmed by checking the owner’s manual or looking at the information printed on the inside of the fuel filler flap. If you are still unsure, use E5 petrol, which will continue to be dispensed from the super unleaded pump at many filling stations.

E10 petrol

Why is the ethanol content being increased?

Ethanol is a renewable, non-fossil biofuel produced from sustainable sources. It is made using by-products from the farming industry, such as those from wheat, corn and sugar crops.

By increasing the proportion of biofuel in petrol, the content of fossil fuel and therefore our reliance on it decreases. This will reduce the overall levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions from vehicles and help the government achieve its climate change targets. It has been calculated that this change from E5 to E10 petrol will cut harmful transport emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year. That’s the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road.

E10 petrol

Why isn’t the ethanol content much higher?

The composition of ethanol is different to that of a crude oil based fossil fuel such as petrol. Higher blends of ethanol can cause corrosion of some rubbers and alloys used in the engine and fuel systems of some older vehicles.

A small number of these vehicles will need to continue using E5 petrol, and this will remain widely available at filling stations in super unleaded grade.

Is this change to E10 petrol only happening in the UK?

No. In fact, E10 petrol is already common throughout the world. It has also been the reference fuel used for all new car emissions and performance testing since 2016.

Useful link The government has a simple ‘E10 checker’ tool on its website here.

Read more Toyota hybrid – how does it work?

2,254 comments

  1. We have a petrol engined RAV4 which has been going strong from 1995.
    Please can you tell me which unleaded fuel we should be using now, and in the future ?
    Thank you,
    Graham

    Reply

    1. Hi Graham,
      Thanks for your comment.
      The fuel you should be using will be detailed either in your vehicle owner’s manual or inside the fuel filler flap.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  2. I’ve recently brought a 2021 hybrid RAV4 (UK) and with my previous car filled up with Shell V-Power Unleaded. Can I continue to do so, or should I use Shell regular unleaded? Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Lauren,

      Congratulations on your new car, and thanks for choosing Toyota. Yes, you can continue to use Shell V-Power. Give it a good drink 😉

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi Wayne,
      Thanks for contacting us.
      As the Estima was never produced in the UK, we are unable to provide specific information.
      The fuel you should be using will be detailed either in your vehicle owner’s manual or inside the fuel filler flap.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. My Estima (manufactured 2012) does not have any petrol grade information inside the fuel filler flap, and it is not mentioned in the owners handbook translation either. Clearly it was not envisaged ten years ago that the petrol grade would change. Surely as the UK representative of an international brand, you are able to find a definitive answer to this question?

      2. Hi Will,
        As the Estima was never sold in the UK, we do not hold any information on this vehicle.
        We’re sorry that we are unable to provide a more helpful answer.
        Thanks.

  4. I have an Avensis Tourer, first registered October 2009, with a 2.0 litre engine number 3ZRA370261. The only reference to petrol grade in the manual or the filler cap is to ‘unleaded only’. Will it be safe to use E10 fuel, please. Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Dr Michael Cross,
      Thank you for your comment.
      If you could provide us with your reg, we can try and look into this further for you.
      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Malcolm, thanks for your comment.

      Fuel information for your Supra will be listed in the owner’s manual and just inside the fuel cap, please refer to that.

      Thanks

      Reply

  6. Will the E10 fuel be safe to use in my Auris Hybrid reg no LM 60 ZZB? There is no information on the fuel flap and all I can find in my manual appears to be saying use 95 octane or better.
    kind regards

    Reply

    1. Hi Janice,

      The vast majority of Toyota models with a petrol engine or hybrid powertrain and that were officially supplied within the European market since January 1998 are compatible with E10 petrol. The only exceptions to this rule are the following vehicles:

      Toyota Avensis with 2.0-litre 1AZ-FSE engine made between July 2000 and October 2008
      Toyota Avensis with 2.4-litre 2AZ-FSE engine made between June 2003 and October 2008

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. I have a Japanese imported Toyota Alphard 2005 2.4l petrol can it run on E10.
        Many thanks.

      2. Hi Philip,

        We expect so, but we can’t say for sure because we only hold information on UK cars. We’d recommend continuing to use E5 fuel.

        Thanks

      1. Hello Kay, thanks for your comment.

        Your Yaris will be fine with E10 fuel.

        Thanks

  7. Hi
    My Toyota Carina E Executive 2.0 is still running well since I acquired it new in August 1994. Reg M273 SWJ. Will it run on E10 petrol?
    Many thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Ruth, thanks for your comment.

      As this is an older vehicle you will need to consult your owner’s manual for details. You may also find this inside the fuel filler cap.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Id be interested in buying your car if it was for sale. My dad used to have one years ago his was a blue coloured one.

      Reply

  8. Hi Toyota,

    I have a Toyota Alphard Japanese Import (2004) and, I was hoping that you could let me know if my van is ok to use E10 petrol. Many thanks in anticipation

    Reply

    1. Hi Lisa,

      We can only advise on vehicles supplied by us. We don’t hold technical information on vehicles sold in Japan. The vast majority of Toyota models with a petrol engine or hybrid powertrain and that were officially supplied within the European market since January 1998 are compatible with E10 petrol. The only exceptions to this rule are the following vehicles: Toyota Avensis with 2.0-litre 1AZ-FSE engine made between July 2000 and October 2008 Toyota Avensis with 2.4-litre 2AZ-FSE engine made between June 2003 and October 2008.

      We can’t say for sure whether your imported vehicle can use E10, so we’d recommend you continue to use E5.

      Thanks

      Reply

  9. Hi team
    I have a 1995 Toyota MR2 (UK model). I have checked the manual and it just says 95 Octane or higher.
    I assume I will not be able to use E10 (nothing on the filler cap) and instead need to stick to Super Unleaded can you confirm please.
    Thank you
    Rob

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      The vast majority of Toyota models with a petrol engine or hybrid powertrain and that were officially supplied within the European market since January 1998 are compatible with E10 petrol. The only exceptions to this rule are the following vehicles:

      Toyota Avensis with 2.0-litre 1AZ-FSE engine made between July 2000 and October 2008
      Toyota Avensis with 2.4-litre 2AZ-FSE engine made between June 2003 and October 2008

      It looks like your vehicle isn’t compatible with E10 fuel, so we’d recommend continuing to use E5 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi,

      The vast majority of Toyota models with a petrol engine or hybrid powertrain and that were officially supplied within the European market since January 1998 are compatible with E10 petrol. The only exceptions to this rule are the following vehicles:

      Toyota Avensis with 2.0-litre 1AZ-FSE engine made between July 2000 and October 2008
      Toyota Avensis with 2.4-litre 2AZ-FSE engine made between June 2003 and October 2008

      Thanks

      Reply

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