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?

2,256 comments

  1. Hi Toyota.
    My e12 corolla is supposedly fine to take e10 however now the injector seals have failed and are leaking.
    I wouldn’t recommend E10 in any vehicle.
    E10 is less powerful and therefore less economical.
    I have owned many toyotas and never had this problem. I start using E10 and my injectors start leaking…….

    Reply

  2. I’ve recently bought an imported Toyota Grand Hiace from Japan which was made in 2000. Can you please advise which fuel I should be using in this 3.4 petrol engine?

    Reply

    1. Hi Lorna,
      As your vehicle is imported, we would recommend staying on E5 by using super unleaded.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi I am in the process of purchasing an important Toyota Alphard 2.4 hybrid which has been converted to a camper. Should I use E5 fuel? It’s more expensive but is it more economical in the long run?

      2. Hi Carrie, thanks for your question.

        Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this.

        Thanks.

      3. Hello
        sorry to trouble you. I have a 2016 Yaris. Can i use E5 super unleaded or E10 or both in my car?

    1. Hi Tommy, thanks for your question.

      Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Aneesh, thanks for your question.

      Please provide a Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Stephen, thanks for your question.

      Please provide a Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this for you.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Tony, thanks for your question.

      Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. Hi Toyota,

    Please can I be advised if I use both E5 and E10 Unleaded petrol for my Yaris 2019 car registration?

    Also, it would be very useful to know if the commentaries about the E10 fuel being eroding to certain car parts is factual or speculation, please?

    re: Car registeration – YL19 UNZ

    Reply

    1. Hi, thanks for your question.

      This vehicle is compatible with E10 and E5 petrol.

      Our Technical Team have advised that there have been some cases where E10 has caused some issues due to the high Chlorine content in the fuel. However, this cannot be completely confirmed as an issue with the fuel itself. We would always using the more expensive 98+ Octane rated fuel, since this burns better in the engine than 95 E10.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi David, thanks for your comment.

      Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. Did the Avensis 03-08 2.0 litre only use the 1AZ-FSE engine. I use to run my 2004 Avensis 1.8l on E5, which seemed correct but now I’m looking for another, would consider the 2.0l but you can’t get E5 where I am so I assume I’m better looking for an 1.8l as no phased two 2.0l Avensis of that era will handle E10. Am I right in this assumption?

    Reply

    1. Hi Andy,
      You are correct.
      The second-generation Avensis 2.0 litre only came with the 1AZ-FSE engine, which is not compatible with E10 fuel.
      If you cannot acquire E5 in your area, we would recommend looking at the 1.8 model.
      We hope this helps.
      Thanks.

      Reply

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