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?

2,276 comments

      1. what kind of fuel would i use for my prius as i am buying one used and its the toyota prius model from 2010

        thanks and kind regards

      2. Hi Ahmed, thanks for getting in touch.

        Please provide your vehicle registration so that we can look into this or you.

        Thanks.

    1. Hi Jack,

      Yes, your 1999 MR2 cqn use E10 fuel. 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. Correct me if I’m wrong but the last mk2 models of MR2 were still using the same engines produced in the mid 90’s. Therefore they are probably NOT compatible. Are you able to confirm 100% either way? Can you specifically advise which MR2 engine variants will or will not be compatible?

      2. Hi Steve,

        The information we have suggests that MR2s produced from January 1998 can use E10 fuel. The engine code may not have changed, but some of the materials used in the engine may have changed, like some rubbers and alloys used in the engine and fuel systems.

        If you don’t feel comfortable using E10 fuel in a 1998 MR2, we recommend continuing to use E5, which will remain available.

        Thanks

  3. Hi
    My August 1994 Toyota Carina E Exec appears to have the 3S-GE engine and the fuel cover says to use unleaded petrol. Would you advise please on which petrol to use from September 2021?

    Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      As you vehicle was produced in 1994, we recommend using E5 fuel, which will still be available.

      Thanks

      Reply

  4. Will my Toyota Carina E registered in 1996 be OK with the E10 petrol or should I use the E5 petrol?

    Reply

    1. Hi Felicity,

      We recommend that you continue to use E5 fuel, which will still be available.

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. Thank you so much we are very fond of her and do not want to damage her in any way.

  5. Request your advice on E10 petrol please – I cannot find this merntioned anywhere in my documentation. my vehicle is a:
    Toyota Corolla TSport VVTLI 1796cc first registered in March 2004.

    Thank you in anticipation of your assistance in this matter

    Reply

      1. Many thanks for your confirmation that my vehicle can use E10 petrol. Your response is much appreciated – thank you.

  6. Hi, I have a 1987 MR2 with a 1.6 4A-GE engine.
    I assume I will now have to use super-unleaded E5, is this correct?

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      Toyota Avensis with 2.0-litre 1AZ-FSE engine made between July 2000 and October 2008 cannot used E10, so you should continue to use E5.

      Thanks

      Reply

  8. Hello

    I have a 1998 UK Spec MR2 SW20 T Bar N/A, from your previous post I take i would be ok with E10, Although I use V Power ONLY E5 at present, would it be prudent to keep it on the E5 as long possible before using E10?

    Kins Regards Brian J

    Reply

    1. Hi Brian,

      Yep, yours should be fine on E10 fuel. E5 will still be available though, so if you feel comfortable using that, go for it!

      Thanks

      Reply

    2. Hi, I have a Toyota Aygo Go 2012 (UK), can I use E10 fuel? Doesn’t say anything on the fuel filler cap or the manual.

      Thanks

      Reply

    3. Hi, I’m driving a Toyota picnic 98 reg will this be OK with e10 fuel? I can’t find anything in the manual 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

  10. I have a 2004 Toyota Rav 4 XT3 VVTI auto, am I correct in assuming that I can use E10 fuel if I need to? I currently use super unleaded most of the time.

    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

      Therefore, your RAV4 can use E10 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

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