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 Jay,

      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.

      Your vehicle has a 1.8 litre 1ZZ-FE engine, so 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.

      As your vehicle has a 1.8 litre engine, it can use E10.

      Thanks

      Reply

      2. Hi Max,
        As your vehicle was produced before January 1998, it cannot use E10 fuel.
        Please continue to use E5.
        Thanks.

    1. Hi Liz, thanks for your comment.

      You should continue to use E5 fuel in your Celica.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  5. I notice this article is March 2021, as it is now June 2022, I wondered if there was any update on imported cars. There are quite a few Alphard’s and Vellfire’s on the road now, and many people are spending fortunes running them. It would be nice if there was some update, or even better if Toyota UK supported these imports.

    Reply

  6. Hello there

    I’m planning on buying a Toyota MR2 Mk2 1990 reg: ‘H19 LEO’ can you please advise which fuel I should use? E10 or the super unleaded?

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Kes,
      As this vehicle is manufactured before January 1998, it cannot use E10.
      Please use E5 in this vehicle.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Thank for your response, just to confirm it’s the E5 (99 octane) ? They are the only once available at petrol garages nowadays?

        Thanks

    1. Hi Gary,
      Our technical team have advised that E85 fuel should not be used in your vehicle.
      This is because Toyota allows the use of ethanol blended gasoline where the ethanol content is up to 10%.
      E85 is a fuel blend that holds 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, meaning that it is not compatible with our vehicles.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Hello, I have just purchased a 2011 Estima (Japanese import) 2.4 petrol. Will this be ok with E10 fuel?

    Many thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Alex,
      Unfortunately, as we only have information on UK vehicles, we are unable to advise on imported vehicles.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Can I please email you this information privately, as I do not want my car registration to be printed on the website?

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