According to an analysis by the UK’s Renewable Energy Association (REA), the number of main household cars unsuitable for E10 in the country is significantly lower than the Department for Transport's (DfT) estimates.

The association said on Wednesday that, excluding older classic or hobby vehicles, around 250,000 main household vehicles should not use E10, which is almost half the number indicated by the DfT. The number is expected to halve to around 125,000 by 2020. REA said these cars tend to be used in wealthier areas of the UK, probably serving as secondary or additional family member vehicles.

The UK government is currently consulting on introducing E10, but it wants to reduce the impact on households with vehicles that cannot run on the higher ethanol blend.

The REA urged the government not to delay the E10 introduction, which is expected to result in emissions savings equivalent to taking 700,000 cars off the road. "For the small number owners of older vehicles that are not warrantied, suitable fuel will remain available," said Grant Pearson, commercial director at bioethanol manufacturer Ensus and chair of the REAs Renewable Transport Fuels Group.

 

Article by Renewables Now: UK's REA says number of cars unfit for E10 not as high as govt estimates