The U.K. government has begun rolling out E10 gasoline to fuel pumps, which they claim could cut carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles by 750,000 tons each year, CNBC News reported.
E10 fuel is a 10% ethanol-blended fuel that is compatible with virtually all vehicles that use gasoline, ccording to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).
"Although more and more drivers are switching to electric, there are steps we can take today to reduce emissions from the millions of vehicles already on our roads," Grant Shapps UK transport secretary said, according to CNBC News. "The small switch to E10 petrol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we accelerate toward a greener transport future."
British drivers can check the compatibility of their vehicle using an online tool. Drivers that can't use E10 fuel in their vehicles are being advised to use E5 fuel, which is a 5% blend.
Already a very popular option in America, the blended gasoline will become standard grade in England, Wales, North Ireland and Scotland, CNBC reported.
"Nearly all U.S. gasoline contains 10% ethanol," according to the RFA. "Renewable fuels like ethanol have a 40-year track record of making gasoline more affordable and vehicles more efficient for millions of Americans."
RFA assures drivers that ethanol fuel will not affect the drivability of vehicles.
"Of the 175,000 cars and small trucks that we have serviced in 42 years, not one engine has been damaged by ethanol," Bobby Likis, owner and operator of an automotive service facility and car-talk host of ‘Bobby Likis Car Clinic’ said, according to RFA. "When it comes to the fuel line and primer, ethanol is no worse than gasoline when proper storage guidelines are followed."
The E10 rollout will advance the U.K. government's agenda of phasing out traditional internal combustion engines to have a net-zero transport sector by 2050. As part of this agenda, the government plans to end the sale of new diesel and gasoline vehicles by 2030 and will require all new vehicles to have zero tailpipe emissions by 2035.
Diesel fuel is will not be changing at this time.