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.
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.
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.
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?
Hi,
I have a 2000 Toyota Yaris Verso. My registration plate is X929FEL. I am wondering if my car is compatible with the E10 fuel? I don’t know where it is manufactured.
Thank you,
Caitlin
Hi Caitlin,
Thanks for your comment.
As your vehicle is manufactured after January 1998 and is not in the exception list, you can use E10 fuel.
Thanks.
I have a 1997 celica GT. Appreciate this is before the 1998 date, but that feels like a bit of a catchall so would appreciate more specific information for this model please.
Also why is it all cars after 1998? Was there a change to all the fuel hoses used in Toyotas on this date or something?
Hi,
This is the information that has been sent to us by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. E5 will continue to be available, so we recommend continuing to use it.
Thanks
We wouldn’t have to worry about it if Toyota made an affordable BEV 🤣
Still waiting.
We’re talking about cars from the 90s…
Hi can Toyota bb imported from Japan use E10
Tks lisa
Hi,
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.
Thanks
Hi there. i have a Toyota 2008 1600cc Qashqai, i was wondering if you can tell me if this can run on the e10 fuel its reg is YB08RWO
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for your comment.
Unfortunately, we are only able to advise on Toyota vehicles. This vehicle is a Nissan!
Thanks.
Is a Toyota corolla 1995 manufacture suitable for E10 or should I stay on Shell top grade petrol.
Regards KW.
Hi there,
As your vehicle was produced before January 1998, it cannot use E10 fuel.
Please continue to use E5.
Thanks.
My Toyota Prius used to have a sticker on it saying “made in Japan” but was. bought in UK. As it is a hybrid should I be worried about using E10 and maybe use E5 if I can?
Hi D Mercer,
Thanks for your comment.
Please can you provide us with your vehicle registration so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
can you just confirm that my avensis gls 1998cc w416ogk reg on 30 06 2000 is okay for e10. thank you.
Hi David,
Thanks for your comment.
As your vehicle is manufactured after January 1998 and is not on the exceptions list, you can use E10 fuel.
Thanks.
Hello
I have seen the replies regarding your being unable to specifically comment on imported cars, and so I would like to point out that the article at the top of the page states….. “Having received queries from owners regarding specific imported models, we are investigating this further”.
Is there any update on your investigations? There surely has to be a way to find the info for Japanese home market vehicles, and hopefully this site might have the right sort of contacts to be able to do this.
I have tried to research it myself but the only thing I have found was an old article from 2006 on NBC News which states….
“all vehicles produced by Toyota Motor Co., the world’s No. 2 automaker, already meet the new 10-percent standard, Sekiya said.” (Sekiya being an official at the Environment Ministry in Japan)
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13610746
This looks encouraging but it is just a single news article, and it doesn’t say from what year all Toyota vehicles were E10 compatible, only that it was from at least 2006.
It is really important that we can be confident about the future of these vehicles (as E5 fuel availability in the UK will be revisited in 5 years time) and so any help you can give in getting us some piece of mind would be very much appreciated.
The car I am specifically trying to check is a 2006 Alphard 2.4 which I believe must have the 2AZ-FE engine.
Many thanks
Hi,
Our investigations are ongoing, but just so you’re aware, it’s not as straightforward as you may think, so it may take some time. Ultimately, we are a national sales and marketing company, set up for supporting Toyota vehicles produced for, and sold in the UK. We don’t have access to data on vehicles sold in other markets, particularly those sold in Asia. Regulations for Europe and Asia are very different. So for now, we can only recommend that owners of imported vehicles use E5, because we only have information on vehicles produced for our market. Of course, we’ll be monitoring what is happening with E5 fuel, and if in future, this is made unavailable to UK drivers, we will look to provide further information to our customers.
Thanks
Thanks for the fast reply and for the explanation of your position. Fingers crossed something will become available soon.
Regards
Can you use E10 in a Toyota Corolla manufactured in 2004
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for your comment.
Please could you provide us with your vehicle registration plate so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
My registration number is YT54 TCK
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for your reply.
As your Corolla is manufactured after January 1998, you can use E10 fuel.
Thanks.
Hi
I have a RAV4 registration R852FJO, first registered 30 June 1998, but I do not know the manufacture date. Can I use E10 petrol?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Jon,
Thanks for your comment.
Your vehicle was produced in May 1998.
As this is after January 1998 and your vehicle is not on the exceptions list, you can use E10 fuel.
Thanks.