E10 petrol explained: what is it and can my car run on it?
We are living in an age where a litre of petrol will soon cost us R20 for a single litre, raising the cost of personal mobility while also inflating the cost of goods and services to an all-time high. Today we explore the world of E10 fuel, describing what it is and if your vehicle can run on it.
With the ever-rising cost of fuel in the local market, consumers are looking for new ways to save money on their monthly fuel bill. Questions surrounding E10 fuel have been sent our way, leading us to create content that answers the questions like; what is E10? Can your vehicle run on it? We answer these questions below.
What is E10?
E10 fuel is, in very basic terms, regular petrol from an oil refinery that has been diluted by up to 10% with bioethanol. Bioethanol is a clear alcohol-based liquid that is low in toxicity and when burnt creates carbon dioxide and water. It has become popular because it is a renewable energy source that can be produced using corn, maize, wheat and a variety of other so-called ‘energy crops’.
Bioethanol has a high octane rating and is also oxygenated, meaning that it has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a vehicle and reduce engine knock by increasing the octane rating, however, because ethanol has a higher burn rate, a vehicle burns up to 50% more bioethanol per litre versus standard petrol.
Can my car run on it?
The good news is that the majority of petrol-powered vehicles in South Africa built between 2000 and 2021 are compatible, with a few exceptions. Older vehicles and those not compatible with the fuel will, with prolonged use, suffer from degradation of various rubber and plastic components such as seals, fuel lines, filters and hoses and also have the risk of condensation corroding their fuel tanks. If your vehicle is 2010 and newer you will not have to worry about compatibility as all products are suited for E10, but for models produced between 2000 and 2010, we recommend checking your owner’s booklet for more information.
E10 in SA
South Africa’s Biofuels strategy, which was approved in 2007 stated our nation’s intention to begin blending between 2-10% ethanol content into local fuel, but there is no evidence of this being actioned. Another mention of this was made in 2012, 2015 and again in 2018 with then Energy Minster Jeff Radebe stating the government’s intentions to have the framework for the blending of bioethanol and petrol approved by the Cabinet in the second quarter of 2019. The most recent document we can find was published in March of 2021 and is a draft amendment of the regulations regarding the mandatory blending of biofuels with both petrol and diesel.
