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.

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2,276 comments

  1. Hi, I have a 1998 Granvia import. 2.7litre turbo. Please can you tell me if this is compatible with E10?

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      If your car is an imported model that was not officially sold in European markets, we recommend staying on E5.

      Thanks

      Reply

  2. Hi, my car is a Toyota Starlet 1996 (!) – still going strong! Can I use the new E10 fuel in it? You only mention cars made after 1998. Does that mean my car is too old for the E10?
    My Registration (I note you ask for that from some people) is N98 HTM.
    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Eva,

      Correct. If your vehicle was produced before this date, it won’t be compatible. Continue to use E5.

      Thanks

      Reply

  3. I have a Toyota Prius hybrid on a 07 reg plate .. so registered in 2007…. what fuel should I use init
    Thanks

    Reply

      1. Hi, you wanted the car reg.
        It is better to give the chassis no. JTEGH23B000013309 as it is a grey import from Singapore.
        Hope this helps.

      2. Hi Tony,
        Thanks for your comment.
        Unfortunately, we don’t have any information on imported vehicles so can only recommend that you continue to use E5 fuel.
        Thanks.

  4. Hi all, like many other Toyota owners I have a Jap imported Toyota Estima 2.4 petrol 2004. The engine model says 2AZ-FE. Just wanted to be sure if the E10 is compatible?
    Thanks

    Reply

  5. Hello

    I have a 2004 Avensis T Spirit with a 2.0 VVTi petrol engine. The advice is that I cannot use E10 if I have a 1AZ-FSE engine, but apparently I can if I have a 1AZ-FE. The manual doesn’t specify which I have, and there is no obvious engine marking. How do I tell?

    Thanks

    Andy

    Reply

    1. Hi Andy,

      Avensis with a 2.0 litre petrol engine produced between July 2000 and October 2008 cannot use E10. Continue to use E5.

      Thanks

      Reply

  6. Hi I have a Toyota Yaris 2008 , Reg WJ08UUK. Just bought it second hand in the UK. In my owners manual and inside petrol cap no mention of either E5 or E10. Just need to confirm its comparability with fuel type please. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. 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.

      Therefore, your 2008 Yaris can use E10.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. 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.

      Therefore, your 1.8 Avensis can use E10.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi,

      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.

      Therefore, your vehicle can use E10.

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. My Toyota Avensis has a 1AZ-FSE engine and is not compatible with E10. Could you please tell me what are the properties of the fuel that make it incompatible with this engine. Ie Density, Viscosity, Flash point or whatever.

      2. Hi Derek,
        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.
        Thanks.

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