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?

2,250 comments

  1. Hi, I have a 2000 Toyota chaser 1J VVIT can I run E10? I always run super unleaded is that staying at E5?
    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      We have no information on imported vehicles, so we recommend continuing to use E5 fuel, which will remain available as super unleaded.

      Thanks

      Reply

  2. Hi. I have an imported 2001 Toyota Grand Hiace. Am I going to have to buy the much more expensive supreme unleaded for it once the petrol change comes in?

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      Sorry, we don’t have any information on imported vehicles so can only recommend that you continue to use E5 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

  3. Hi I have a 2000 estima import with a 2az fe engine. Will it better to use super unleaded or the new e10 petrol?

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      Sorry, we don’t have any information on imported vehicles so can only recommend that you continue to use E5 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

  4. I have a 1996/7 Toyota Camry 2.2. None of the information you have given out covers my vehicle and would like to know if E10 will be suitable. 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. As yours was produced before this time, it cannot use E10 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi,

      Sorry, we don’t have any information on imported vehicles so can only recommend that you continue to use E5 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi,

      Sorry, we don’t have any information on imported vehicles so can only recommend that you continue to use E5 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi,

      Your vehicle was produced before January 1998, so it cannot use E10 fuel. We recommend continuing to use E5 fuel.

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. Did you use the VIN no I sent as it was late Nov 97 and I gather it’s possibly the model year that matters?

      2. Hi Tony,
        Thanks for your reply.
        If your vehicle was produced before January 1998, it cannot use E10 fuel. Your vehicle was produced before January 1998, so it cannot use E10 fuel.
        Thanks.

  8. My engine number is 1AZ1688223. I know engine number 1AZ-FSE can’t use E10. Does my engine number mean I can or can’t?

    Reply

    1. Hi Donna,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Please provide your UK reg, and we can look into this for you.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Hi

    I have and Estima Hybrid Import Model ZA-AHR10W-MREGB-G
    Engine 2AZ – FXE 2362 cc Frame AHR10 – 0004856
    build 2003 I think
    Is this OK for use with E10 Fuel
    Regards

    Reply

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

      Reply

    1. Hi Kp,
      Thanks for your comment.
      If your vehicle was produced before January 1998, it cannot use E10 fuel.
      Therefore, your Previa is unable to use E10 petrol. Please continue to use E5 fuel.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. So a 1991 previa has the same engine code as my 2000 U.K previa V429OEV what’s the deal with e10

      2. Hi Philip,

        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 2000 Previa can use E10 fuel.

        Thanks

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