Study reveals new green petrol could drive up prices and damage cars

Britain has signed up to an EU directive which means that suppliers must dilute petrol with environmentally-friendly alternatives. However, a study today warns it will add around £80 a year extra to the average family’s fuel bill as it gives less miles to the gallon.

The high ethanol content could also ruin the engines of some older cars and motorbikes as it could melt some components,The Daily Mail reported.
       
The Department for Transport estimate that up to 8.6million vehicles may not be compatible with the new fuel, which is being introduced to cut the use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gases.

Drivers may be confused by its arrival on forecourts unless pumps are clearly labelled and they know whether it is safe for their car.

Author of the study Rob Bailey, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, warned E10 petrol is not compatible with millions of older vehicles and could cause corrosion and drivability problems for vehicles of ten years or older.

The green petrol was introduced in Germany two years ago and many drivers decided not to use it in case it damages their engines and because they are uncertain about the wider “environmental and social impacts of ethanol,” said Mr Bailey.

The Government has asked suppliers to delay introducing of E10 to allow time so that drivers can be fully informed and a list of incompatible vehicles can be compiled.

Mr Bailey added that taking farmland out of food production to grow fuel crops also threatens to put up food prices.

The study was funded by Olleco, a business which collects and refines waste cooking oil to be used as biodiesel in vehicles, which Mr Bailey found was a better option to be mixed with fuel than ethanol.