What is E10 petrol? A plain-English guide
What E10 is, why it replaced E5 as standard unleaded, which vehicles can use it and how it affects your tank, your engine and your fuel bill.
Updated 25 October 2026
The short version
E10 is ordinary unleaded petrol blended with up to 10% ethanol, an alcohol made from crops such as wheat, sugar beet or maize. The "E" stands for ethanol and the number is the maximum percentage. The older blend, E5, contains up to 5%.
Because ethanol is made from plants that absorb CO₂ while they grow, swapping some fossil petrol for ethanol lowers the carbon footprint of each litre. That is the main reason governments moved to E10.
Where E10 is the standard
- United Kingdom: standard 95-octane unleaded became E10 in Great Britain in September 2021 and in Northern Ireland in November 2022. E5 stays on sale as the "super" grade. The government says around 95% of petrol vehicles on the road can use E10.
- Germany: "Super E10" has been on sale since 2011, next to Super (E5) and Super Plus.
- France: "SP95-E10" has been sold since 2009 and is now the most-sold petrol grade.
- USA: nearly all regular gasoline is already E10. The debate there is about E15 and E85 (see our USA section).
Which vehicles can use it?
Every new petrol car sold in Europe since 2011 has had to be E10-compatible, and most cars built since the early 2000s are too. The main exceptions are some early direct-injection engines (for example first-generation FSI and GDI engines), many classic cars and some older motorcycles and mopeds. Use the E10 checker to see your manufacturer's statement.
How to tell at the pump
Pumps and fuel nozzles carry a circle label: E5 or E10. Many newer cars have the same label inside the fuel filler flap. If your flap says E10, you are fine. If it says E5 only, or if you are not sure, check your handbook or the checker.
Does E10 affect fuel economy?
Ethanol carries slightly less energy than petrol, so economy can drop a little. The UK government describes the effect as small, around 1% on average, and most drivers will not notice it.
Is E10 safe for my engine?
For an approved vehicle, yes: it was designed and tested for it. In a non-approved vehicle, ethanol can, over time, attack some rubber seals, gaskets and plastics, and it absorbs more water from the air than petrol does. That is why older vehicles and anything that sits unused for months need more care (see storing fuel).
Check your car in 10 seconds
Pick your make and year for the manufacturer's E10 answer.
Frequently asked questions
Is E10 the same as unleaded?
In the UK, the standard 95-octane unleaded is now E10. "Super" or "premium" unleaded (97+ octane) is usually E5.
Can I mix E10 and E5?
Yes. The two blends can be mixed in the same tank with no problem, as long as your vehicle is approved for E10.
Is E10 cheaper?
E10 is the standard grade, so it is usually the cheapest petrol on the forecourt. E5 super costs more per litre.
Sources
- GOV.UK – E10 petrol explained (checked 25 October 2026)
- GOV.UK – Check if your vehicle can use E10 petrol (checked 25 October 2026)
Related guides
- E10 vs E5 petrol: which should I use?
- Put E10 in a car that isn't approved? What to do
- E10 petrol and classic cars: what owners should know
- E10 petrol in motorcycles, scooters and mopeds
General information only. Always follow your vehicle handbook and the manufacturer's advice.