Fossil fuels, diesel, in particular, are constantly in the news – higher parking charges, ULEZ, T-Charge, emissions, air pollution, Road to Zero … it seems that anything to do with cars, trucks and buses centres around one thing – dirty emissions and air pollution.
We’re led to believe that electric vehicles are the saviour of the motor car, and while that may be true, they are still some way off from being a viable alternative for many drivers, so the next best thing is biofuel. Right?
Under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations order, all fuel currently sold must contain a biofuel element of at least 4.75%, with that figure rising to 10% by 2020.
But not all cars are compatible with the ‘E10’ blend of fuel, and you may be surprised to hear that it isn’t just vintage motorists that will be hit with an incompatibility issue – many of the older Volkswagen Golfs Nissan Micras and Fords will suffer, even those manufactured after the year 2000.
E10 Biofuel
The E10 biofuel has already been rolled out in other countries – parts of the European Union, Australia and the U.S. have seen a semi-successful introduction, although it does have its detractors, not least of all, a number of environmental groups.
However, estimates say that by 2020, there will still be 634,309 vehicles in use on UK roads that won’t be able to swap over to the new fuel, so where does that leave them?
The Department for Transport (DfT) says that larger petrol stations will have an obligation to provide the existing blend, much the same as 2-Star and 4-Star, and then unleaded, but the question has to be asked – where will the price point sit?
Assuming that there’s no discernible difference between E10 and the current E5 (in manufacturing cost), will the price remain static or comparable? Or will the station owner deem it as an extra service they offer, and therefore, charge more? Or assuming that due to further costs involved for the manufacturing of the E10, the price will rise, and therefore have a knock-on effect on the E5 fuel – due to loss of sales of the more expensive product.
The detractors
For many, including the aforementioned environmental campaigners, E10 biofuel is definitely not the answer. James Beard, climate and energy specialist at the World Wildlife Fund said: “Some forms of biofuels can do more harm than good and should be phased out, but not all biofuels are bad”, whilst the Royal Academy of Engineering says that some biofuels have led to more emissions than those produced by fossil fuels.
So are the Government robbing Peter to pay Paul? Simply trading one lot of CO2 for another?
Is this purely a strategy to say they’ve ticked the box of implementing CO2 reducing fuel? It would seem as though it is. Detractors say that biofuel doesn’t necessarily reduce CO2, mainly because of the intensive methods to process it, and others say that the conversion of land into farms to supply bioethanol has been linked to the destruction of wetlands and forests, a process which in itself releases quantities of carbon emissions.
So where does that leave us? Are we all to embrace biofuel, in particular, the E10 blend as though it alone is saving the planet? Or should we just chalk it up to another half-hearted attempt by the government to assuage bureaucracy?
Affected cars
The top ten list of cars that won’t be compatible includes some surprising anomalies, but as you’d expect, there are a few classics in there as well.
Number one on the list is perhaps the most surprising, but it must be noted that none of the cars on the list include the year of manufacture, so the picture isn’t that clear.
- Volkswagen Golf – 28,066*
- MG MGB – 20,890
- Mazda MX-5 – 18,162
- Nissan Micra – 15,785
- Morris Minor – 12,796
- Rover 25 – 9,879
- MG MGF – 9,352
- Ford Escort – 8,947
- Rover Mini – 7,614
- MG TF – 7,568
* Estimated numbers on the road in 2020
Given that the Golf has been in production for nearly 45 years, there are two important points; there are plenty of them on the UK roads, and the date range could be vast – the report mentions some vehicles newer than 2000 MY, but that still leaves at least 26 years to choose from.
No doubt there will be some readers affected, but if you own a classic MGB or Morris Minor, surely the nature of ownership is one of cherishing and love. Would you really begrudge having to drive an extra ten miles to find a larger forecourt that stocks the current blend?
What do you think about the plans of the bioethanol fuel? Is this another ‘box ticking’ exercise? Let us know in the comments.
some Vauxhall engines also not suitable, our 2007 zafira 2.2 Direct Z22YH is listed by RAC and Vauxhall
What are the Motoring Organisations doing about this. Have they raised concerns with the Government about some cars not being able to use this new fuel
But then when does any government listen to anyone except their own advisors
What happened to the great LPG revolution?
You can still get LPG at some Shell Petrol stations. I used to get mine at BP, but they all seemed to have stop supplying it.
My local BP in Oldbury, West Midlands still sells LPG.
My local garage in Nottingham also supplies LPG and at least 3 other places within 10 miles. I’ve been using LPG since 2003 and hardly ever fill up with petrol
LPG was the way ahead until around 2006 when most manufacturers changed from Iron engines (cast) to aluminium. LPG (propane) ignites at a higher temperature than petrol so it melts the valve seats on aluminium cylinder heads over a relatively short period of time without additional lubrication systems. I was an lpg driver for 15 years and found out that it just couldn’t be fitted to modern cars cheaply anymore, lack of fuel stations selling it, cost of the additives to be sent to Scotland (classed as DAC- dangerous air cargo) killed it for the savings, both in the pocket and the planet. I would love to go back, but would you risk it on a 30 grand car and invalidating your warranty? Also the lack of stations and relatively short range on lpg meant many many fill ups. Only one manufacturer (Proton) saw a gap in the market and produced an LPG specific car into 2010, but if was cheap and nasty and also died the death.
It’s a bit hit or miss, depends where you are. I’m in London and have half a dozen stations within a few miles; also Birmingham (practically all Birmingham taxis run on LPG) and Manchester/Liverpool are well served, have a look at http://www.filllpg.co.uk (select “LPG Map” from the top menu for a map of the UK). Continental Europe is also very well served, especially the northern half (except Denmark); http://www.mylpg.eu lists over 42 thousand stations, and I’ve driven to Norway on gas with no problems (got through Denmark without needing to fill up). Belgium is a particular delight, fuel prices are regulated by government, and you can get LPG at 30-35p per litre.
— Greg
What about all other domestic petrol engines ie Lawn mowers/Trimmers/Generators etc. They now have problems with E5. This will mean even bigger problems for them.
Slightly cheaper to replace than a car though usually.
It seems there is insufficient data to really know the true facts. At least this move isn’t killing off the motor industry like other knee jerk reactions.
IF this fuel is any good, commercial vehicles should be able to use it as well which must be good. Buses, lorries and taxis are a very significant part of the problem of course.
Bio diesel is junk. Our company tried it with our brand new state of the art euro 5 trucks ( at the time) . Mine did 1260 km on 480 ltr of normal diesel, an only 750 ish on bio. The government will love it at same price per litre as normal fuels, cheaper to make and you use more of it!
Vintage, veteran and period cars are an integral part of our history, some may say priceless treasures.
These vehicles give pleasure to thousands of enthusiasts and their families.
Oil derived fuels have been part of our culture since the inception of the motor car, it is unthinkable that the pleasure they give should be compromised.
C J Walden
I am tying to keep my diesel Rover 75 mint so that it can be a vintage car for the future. When I bought it 16 years ago I was saving the planet! It costs a hell of a lot of money to keep it mint. It seems that the government is determined to get rid of it. I feel that it is an important part of our motoring heritage now that Rover is no more. A beautiful car, arguably the best ever built in this country, it and many others, not just Rovers, are on the verge of being lost for ever thanks to “Do Gooders” in Government and “Experts” anywhere and everywhere. S*d them I’ll keep trying.
Not just me then with my contempory SE 75 Diesel. Rather have this than a VW or FORD
Yes, my 21 year old Micra seems to be on the list. It was owned by an elderly lady and always garaged so no rust. It cost me £100. I`ve always driven big Volvos but the Micra is a very good car so I would be unhappy if I have to drive miles out of the way to find the original fuel – I live in a rural area. My thinking is that there should be a compensation scheme, particularly relevant for the classic car owners.
There are already companies out there that can make diesels run cleaner, but the government won’t allow that because the motorist is a cash cow for them.
Govvernment can still collect fuel taxes whether clean running or not.
Fossil fuels are bad; electric cars are worse – environmentally bad, expensive and a con trick; hydrogen is the environemtally friendly and sustainable future. Of course, none in the Westminster, Whitehall or quangocratic bubbles are ever prepared to listen to, or act upon, the truth!
Current technology for producing hydrogen is not efficient enough to make H2 vehicles a viable option compared to EVs
If we embraced tidal and wind power, hydrogen is the ideal way to store surplus energy. If we invested in hydrogen the cost would drop. the downside is that fuels companies wouldn’t make as much
Hydrogen must be the way forward really. As with wind and tidal power a lot of hotter countries could use solar power to basically produce endless hydrogen for very little cost.
No cash cow in hydrogen. Water to hydrogen/oxygen to water again. Oh and the bonus of powering your house during conversion and storage with a home fuel cell. Hmm two thirds of the planet covered in water. Just doesn’t seem logical Captain (?!?!)
Spock,
Hydrogen is very dangerous to handle and store. The main problem is the amount of energy needed to make pure hydrogen is very high so where this energy comes from is vital to the environmental / cost of the fuel. Figures for miles per gallon have not been pushed as from the data I saw is Hydrogen uses more fuel per mile so there would be filling more frequently like EV’s.
And you are also wrong, please learn how to produce H2… this will give you a clue that is not also the solution
Enlighten us super star legend
Hydrogen is indeed the way to go both in fuel cells and internal combustion. The water to hydrogen / oxygen and back to water is a closed, pollution free loop. Bring it on.
Water goes in – it has to be ultra filtered water (costs) – then it is split into propellant and accelerant – this is then BURNT to produce the power required to propel a vehicle – the resulting water out the exhaust is approx 28% unburnt – now power every vehicle with water – with a carbon loss of 72% per vehicle and the water level drops the droughts the world is seeing will be nothing by comparison….. still want to destroy the one resource we currently have a lot of?
You WILL NOT be able to run a tap at home into your vehicle…..it will be pumped in a (water version) gas station…
Absolutely truth. However, the biggest issue is that the government doesn’t know how they should tax h2 vehicles once you’ll fill up the tank with water!
I own a 1971 Triumph Vitesse and have to add a supplement to roadside fuel to allow it to run on unleaded. Although the car is not on the current list, I assume it will fall into this new legislation. I’m wondering if the additive will still be effective in the new fuel.
At some point you should have hardened valve seats fitted so you will not need the additive for use with unleaded fuels. Note circa 2 degrees ignition timing adjustment per single octane RON away from original recommended fuel. As I remember Viresse was a high CR engine?
Beware fuel hose compatibility (likely rot and leak) and general gunge build up in fuel tank especially if you store car unused for long periods with fuel in tank.
Probably more to think about such as higher engine component wear..
A great little car, I built a brand new one in eighties, had a few heralds the vitesses. Can’t you get the hardened valve seats fitted so you can run on unleaded, don’t know if that will be same for the E10 biofuel.
Motorbikes which are usually seasonally run use a fuel stabiliser additive to stop moisture production and resist the fuel jellifying.
You are dead right. I have run a Triumph TR4a for forty six years and add a supplement against E5, it doesn’t last for long though. Problem is there is a certain amount of water in E5, more in E10 which causes old petrol tanks to rust out.
Another way of the government getting more vehicles off the roads & get more on cycles & walk while our pathetic list of MP’s ride around in stretch limousines just to go a few hundred yards . If I have read this right our vehicles will come to a grinding halt , with Lawn Machines , Brush & Grass Strimmers , Hedge Trimmers , Motor Bikes , Small Boat engines ,etc , etc . the list goes on .Will we be able to get compensation towards replacing all items that are no longer of use owing to seised up engines , ” Of course not” but will they care as by then most of the MP’s will have moved on . Seems every day there is another new law coming out that hits the general public in there wallet by fuel price hikes , or laws to hit the driving public . Some of them most of us are not made aware of , We are supposed to keep up with the highway code but we would have to purchase a new edition every two months to keep up with it , Why cannot the new changes be given to the public via the media / Tv then there is no excuse for not knowing the changes . Here in Cornwall Pedestrian crossings & a Roundabout in one town has no advanced warnings of such , No beacons , No road markings , the motorist has got to be aware that anyone from adults to children can walk into the highway & expect traffic to stop instantly . I haven’t seen that shown in the Code Book . I am slowly loosing the will to live .
Yes, and traffic joining a dual carriageway seem to have the right of way these days even in heavy traffic.
Vauxhall and RAC warn that z22yh engines not suitable, our 2007 Zafira is affected.
Absolute madness! Which hard headed farmers are going to forego opportunities to exploit limited resource valuable food producing lands if there is more profitability in growing crops to feed our cars? As unpalatable as it may be to all of those petrol and diesel heads out there, the days of the private motor car are numbered and automotive industries are going to need to be far more innovative than they are now if they are to survive. As for the pure electric, or hydrogen cell driven concepts, they will most certainly not provide any panacea, simple because by 2040, when hydrocarbon powered vehicles are supposed to be off the roads completely, the traffic densities will be so intense the only practical use of a car will be something to stand on one’s drive to polish and boast about!
I run a 1949 Triumph between Spain and UK. I keep 2 x 9ltr cans of “E” free petrol to top up after a tank of “E” in France. I have also changed all the flexible fuel lines and diaphragms to resistant materials, however many components are copper and brass, but so far no apparent corrosive damage visible. I also add a litre of mineral engine oil to the fuel every 500 miles. So far I am a winner, but for how long. Spain does not seem to be chasing this E10 wagon, however in all villages they seem to have electric charging points!
You’re effectively running a two stroke engine fuel mix, presumably it’s a bike? I would imagine your engine emissions will be through the roof but two stroke engines are MOT tested for emissions. I think we all know what it’s like to be behind a vehicle burning oil, the dreaded blue smoke, it’s dreadful.
Just strip a carbereter to see what biofuel does it’s like jelly ,it affects rubber as well ,it’s rubbish
that will be why my lawn mower that had fuel left in it last year had all this jelly like substance in when i went to fill it this year
I have to clean the carb on my mower every year already!!”
I have to keep a supply of diaphragms in my garage for my lawn mower. I have contacted Briggs and Stratton asking them when they will supply ethanol proof diaphragms and carbs and they said it is not a problem. They all seem to be in denial about the damage ethanol is doing to engines; even the carb on my chainsaw is knackered, too expensive to buy from Stihl so I got one from China.
Biodiesel is the same. It just creates a black jelly when temperatures fluctuate around zero degrees Celsius.
That’s why busses break down so much in winter.
Diesel ‘bug’ which is far more prevalent with bio diesel, be it 100% bio or a blend.
Lower Thermal Efficiency for these fuels means greater consumption by my reckoning. More likelihood of damaged engine components means greater manufacturing demand thus more CO2 emissions as well as poorer people with older cars having to pay more to stay Mobile? History of ravaged forests, food producing land being exploited for Bio fuels (EU caused). It doesn’t Really show much thought by politicians here – no change when looking at balanced environmental policies then. The much hyped Battery vehicles – wait and see. Cobalt supply and DRC issues have yet to raise their ugly heads plus dubious deflection of dieselgate remedial costs (hardware related with support of Merkel) to free funds for future technology development for German auto manufacturing- never mind owners of cars with cheating software having their existing German built vehicles brought up to decent spec. as would originally have been Stated.
Pity that an industry admired and respected for fine products generally should find itself in this position.
I believe that around 45% of the palm oil imported to the EU goes into biofuels, the rest of it clogs up our arteries as it’s in almost all processed foods nowadays. What a tragic waste of tropical jungles! Never mind bio FUELS, what about bio DIVERSITY?
In Germany and France I’ve used E10 in my last two petrol cars (Auris & Rav4) and not had a problem with it – the compatibility information was pretty clear in the Toyota handbook and is sold alongside regular 95 unleaded anyway if in doubt.
Generally E10 is a bit cheaper but found I got less MPG from it which offsets the price difference.
E10 has been used in Europe for years. I have lived in Germany for almost 5 years now and its a regular on the forecourts. Not every car runs it and some that do dont run it too well. But thats because its treated as another fuel option here and NOT a replacement for 95 ron unleaded (which is 5% ethanol here). Some forecourts sell E85 which i know is popular with performance car drivers in Australia but that requires a remap, some special sensors and a whole lot of work. Electric isnt the future either IMHO. Not enough range, the supply of that electricity IS NOT environmentally friendly and the production of batteries e.t.c is worse than drilling for oil. I still think Hydrogen is the better option we currently have but its not being picked up for some reason.
America has been trialing h20 for last year on a certain make nd model stats look very good along side big machines in industrial area that suck all co2 from the aire cleanes it and uses it to power the warehouses good idea but just taking to long dont think it will be in my lifetime
I believe that the hydrogen fuelled vehicle is the only viable solution to our pending environmental disaster and all efforts should be concentrated on making this technology more practical and affordable. Whether we have old cars that we cherish should not be part of the equation. We have to think about saving our only home, our planet, and not our personal selfish interests. Biofuel is just another plaster on the wound and will not make any real difference.
Hydrogen is generated by breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen gasses. Water is one of the most stable substances and it takes a HUGE amount of electrical energy to break it down. And this electricity comes from the power station. Just think about the fuel that is used generate this eletricity – fossil fuels mainly. Hydrogen fuel cells work by releasing energy when the hydrogen is mixed with oxygen again to create water. As anyone who has studied physics will tell you, the amount of energy released by the hydrogen fuel cell is a lot less than the electrical energy needed to create the hydrogen in the first place. So where are the fossil fuels best used? In a power station to generate the electicity neded to produce hydrogen, or directly IN YOUR CAR?
My understanding is the bio fuels are not seen by politicians as a CO2 solution but more as an alternative that we can grow ourselves so that we can move away from being held to ransom by the oil rich nations.
We need all the land we have to grow food which is more important, if they carry on using lad to grow crops for biofuel and stuff for power stations to burn there will be a shortage of food but that is what the EU would like so we have to import from their subsidised farmers. Producing biofuels and crops for power stations need to waste energy and diesel to deliver so false savings.
We don’t use all of our farming land, vast areas are in set aside as ordained by the EU and subsidised for not producing anything. They could be turned to production of bio fuel crops without affecting food production at all.
There’s no mention of diesel fuel. Is this unaffected by the proposals?
I think you mean CO Carbon Monocide not CO2 Carson Dioxide
Diesel was supposed to be producing less CO2 therefore it was the answer. Suddenly it has become the dirty one to be avoided and penalized at all costs. who or what can we believe anymore. The public are being brainwashed with half baked theories and government knee jerk reactions, only to be turned around shortly after. No one seems to agree about anything. The end user the motorist is in complete confusion as to what if anything they can do except pay through the nose for poorly devised legislation. Only one motoring thing is constant, rising revenue to the treasury.
diesel IS the cleaner to petrol when you look at CO2 alone….. BUT diesel has much higher nitrous pollutant unless properly after-filtered with cats etc.. I WAS a fan of bio diesel and even made my own BUT and a BIG BUT is that bio diesel is much worse than fossil diesel.
Diesel is the lower CO2 producer. However the higher NOx producer. But, we must not lose sight of Particulates. (PM2.5).
Though, the worst polluter to the atmosphere is biomass power stations and domestic woodburning stoves. One domestic wood burning stove releases particulates equivalent to 1,000 petrol cars.
The mockery of the ‘green fuel’ exercise is the fact that under LCBP/RHI, are responsible for increasing air pollution from biomass power stations with both CO2 and NOx, not forgetting Particulate Matter!
My DEFRA approved woodburner is virtually smoke free once good and hot, whereas the amount of pollutants streaming out of my neighbours’ gas boiler vents is plain to see.
However, the idiocy of power station sized wood burning is that vast acreages of trees are felled, in Canada and N. America, then shipped to the UK. Environmental degradation all round.
From what I have read this fuel reduces the MPG so does this mean that whilst it reduces Co2 the amount of Co2 produced is the same or more because of the reduced MPG?
Yes. Surprising that in the drive for greater efficiency, the government wants to phase in a less efficient fuel which needs a richer mixture.
That also means greater transportation costs for the less efficient fuel. Nonetheless it is consistent with the environmental strategy the government signed up to.
The pattern is blunder to fix previous blunder.
You are correct in that assumption. Common sense is in short supply.
I think it is just pulling the wool over our eyes, much the same as the unleaded release and the timing issues that came with that, surely it has to be a lot longer to introduce it and think of ALL the classic vehicles we will lose, who is going to compensate the owner for a massive loss of value.
I was looking at buying a MGtf to turn in to a trike for some summer fun but looks like I may have to look at a different doner car now.
Government balls up it will be once again . Who are the advisors that have come up with another stupid idea Their ideas just get worse and more impractical every time
Do you think the Government is worried about the cars that cant use this new fuel. Their answer will be go out and buy a new one. That ok if you are on £70,000+ expenses and everything else they can rip us of for
In Australia E10 has been available for years, but some vehicles don’t like it and many lawnmowers, hedge-trimmers, etc, won’t operate on it.
It is a false economy because the mpg is reduced, and unless it is substantially cheaper than regular unleaded it’s just not worth it.
As long as I’m able to obtain suitable fuel and assuming I can use a suitable additive to bring it up to the minimum 97 octane rating I support the change. My main concern is that the government has no one with sufficient knowledge and skills to implement a successful change.
I’m sure that using “a suitable additive” will wipe out any gains by bumping up the alcohol content.
Just another pointless tic box exercise
It should also be noted that most cars will have lower mpg with E10 fuels as the bio enthanol has a lower calorific value than normal petrol. So you will get less bang per gallon.
Who knew? ONLY cars use petrol. Motorbikes don’t, nor lawnmowers, vans ….
I’ve been using E10 in France every year since it has been sold there.My last 2 cars were a 1998 Astra 1.6 and 2003 Zafirra 1.6.My present car is a Zafirra 1.8.
E10 is the cheapest petrol to buy in France and any fuel consumption differences are negligable(I keep an accurate log of car fuel consumption when I am driving in France).I would certainly welcome a cheaper petrol alternative on the forecourts in the UK.I think it is long overdue.
UK Government lowering fuel taxes? Far more likely to charge more.
The answer will always be “whatever can be monetised by oil companies and govt”. If anyone really believes that governments will do what’s right for the planet and right as users they are in for a shock.
I don’t have the answer to clean motoring but it isn’t petrol, diesel, biofuel, or battery powered electric, unless they are tightly controlled to ensure their energy production methods are environmentally friendly.
Think palm oil, great product but produced badly by countries in need of a cash crop, bye bye orangutan
As usual, another half baked idea from our esteemed leaders.
E10 is just a dab of cotton wool on a gaping wound. There are other alternatives, but the government doesn’t want to know, why? because they wouldn’t be able to take so much money from the motorist.
My Skoda Octavia has a sticker inside the fuel cap states ,not to use Bio-fuel, it’s a 2012 C R .
In theory, it sounds good, but how much CO2 is being made in the production of Biofuel. It sounds to me that this is just another government Fudge and I and other motorists and users are going to be paying for it, if not in higher forecourt prices then in higher government Fuel Tax. The motorist pays for it again.
I had a BMW 320d, and made the mistake of using part bio-fuel. The car ran OK for about 1/2 a day then stopped. RAC managed to re-start it but it kept stalling until after about 4 tanks of fuel had gone through it. I’m told that among others, the RNLI will not permit bio diesel for reliability problems
The last people to solve problems are politicians and their quango advisors, they are the ones causing them. They have an interest in preserving problems and making them endless. Gangsters the lot of them. CO2 is essential like oxygen for life so must be taxed.
I run a classic motorcycle which struggles with 95 RON so I use the highest grade available (Tesco Momentum 99 RON is one of the highest and most affordable). I then have to add a lead replacement and octane booster additive so it’ll run without pinking/knocking. If petrol is weakened any further and becomes unavailable or too expensive, I’ll simply have to double the additive and/or find other types of rocket fuel!
I have a 2000 Golf GTI Turbo with only about 55000 miles on the clock, is it a sensible idea to try the new fuel to just see if it is OK? It is running perfectly so I don’t think so!
So who is going to force the “larger forecourts” to stock the existing blend, especially when profit is the main motive for their business. The Department for Transport can say what they like about suppliers having an obligation, but in the real world it won’t happen. Again another ‘con’ statement to justify the thinking of those that came up with the plan, none of which seem to live in the real world. There have already been a number of vehicle fires attributable to the incompatibility of this new fuel, but as always it is likely to take a number of deaths from driving your four wheel BBQ before anyone will take notice.
We need a full list of non-comparable vehicles, not just the top ten ! This would make us aware of the full impact of this ill judged government knee jerk reaction !
Vested interest manifests itself yet again !
Putting a biofuel element into vehicle fuel is news to me, and a concern because the Land Rover Discovery I run must not be run on biofuel. I also run a vintage Volvo and several vintage motorcycles, so what I need to know is this: how can I modify my vehicles to allow them to use the new fuels safely, without damaging them? I’ve not seen anything about this either. At least with the change from leaded to unleaded fuels, you could buy a fuel additive or have harder valve seats fitted to cylinder heads. I don’t want my carburettors clogging up with oily jelly, rubbers perishing or fuel consumption being detrimentally affected. I don’t want my vehicles suddenly failing emissions tests or their engines being damaged because of this new formula.
How does a biofuel element help to solve the CO2 problem anyway? It’s still a hydrocarbon, it still burns to form CO2 and its chemical formula isn’t much, if any, different from naturally produced oil. So, what is this all about? Fiddling about by government, more expense (and anxiety and irritation) to the over-victimised motorist and a bunch of statistics massaged to the point of being downright lies by civil service statisticians to permit some more boxes to be ticked and government to be made to look good. ENOUGH! This motorist is sick of it all.
Biofuel is made from plants where the plant ends up being fermented and alcohol, think drinking alcohol, aka ethanol , is a by-product. This alcohol is “made” from sunlight and CO2. When the alcohol is burned it turns back to CO2 and water. In theory then, it is CO2 neutral.
The theory goes that this fuel is produced by the energy of the sun and therefore is fossil fuel free.
The theory breaks down though because tractors, trucks, electricity, distillation costs etc are still used to manufacture the alcohol so it still uses fossil fuels.
Perhaps the most important thing is that crops are being grown to produce this ethanol which could otherwise grow crops to feed people. Which is more important? Food or Fuel?
It’s all about money not the least bit interested in the environment or they would not be fracking.
fracking theives is what they are
Surely, the arguments about incorporating ethanol (biofuel) into regular petrol has to or should be determined by the cleanliness of combustion. Only water and CO2 are produced in the combustion of ethanol, unlike the cocktail of nasty chemicals produced by combustion of fossil fuels.
As long as my 455 bhp V8 runs on the stuff and SOUNDS as a V8 should, I do not care. All my CO2 is hoovered up by trees and green stuff, and they give me O2 in return so I can live and breath my Growler. Lovely.
A recent program on TV about land fill sites it was proven that they produce lots of Methane Gas and it is easy to extract it. One Scottish site was producing electricity from the use of Methane Gas to feed a lot of homes.
Why can we not use these free energy generation for other things.
Soak the motorists and take as much as possible from us as we do not complain hard enough and just accept the rip off.
Nobody on here seems to have noticed that the fuel in question is E10, that is petrol with 10% ethanol (alcohol) added. The article does not seem to be about biodiesel. The article should have clarified this!
I really do not understand what all the fuss is about. Up until the late sixties it was possible to buy high alcohol -bio- fuels I think up to 30% called Cleveland Discol and National Benzole. I own a couple of classic cars from that era and see no problem with the proposed 10% alcohol fuel. My Father would deliberately fill up with one of these fuels before any long runs and found the engine ran better – smoother, cooler and with more urge. I currently add on occasions Toluene at 5% to boost octane ratio if i cannot get any 97octane fuelas we live in the country and the AC goes much better.
95E10, is my fuel of choice when driving in France and Germany, if only because it is CHEAPER than “regular” 95.
No ripoff on the mainland!