E10 in a circle
Petrol containing up to 10% renewable ethanol. On a vehicle, an E10 circle means it can use petrol with up to 10% ethanol.
What to do
If your filler-flap label or manual shows E10, you can fill from the E10 pump. If it shows only E5, or there is no label, use the official E10 vehicle checker; if you are still unsure, GOV.UK says to keep using E5 (97+ octane).
- What it looks like
- The letters E10 in bold inside a circle, black on white.
- Where you find it
- On the nozzle and on the dispenser at the filling station; next to the fuel filler cap or flap of newer vehicles (GOV.UK: vehicles made from 2019 onwards should have it); in the owner's manual; at car dealers.
- Kind
- petrol-type fuel
- Set by
- EN 16942:2016+A1:2021, identifier for petrol-type fuels (a circle), required by Directive 2014/94/EU Article 7; in the UK, SI 2019/421 Schedule 1, Part 1
Can my car use it?
“If your brand or model is not listed, consult your manual or contact your vehicle or equipment manufacturer.”
“If in doubt, continue to use E5 (97+ octane) petrol.”
Check your vehicle's manual or the label inside the filler flap. We do not say which makes or models can use this fuel.
Official guidance:
In detail
- Standard grade (95 octane) petrol became E10 in Great Britain in September 2021 and in Northern Ireland in November 2022. Diesel did not change.
- GOV.UK says around 95% of petrol-powered vehicles on the road can use E10, and lists the ones that may not: classic, cherished and older vehicles, some specific models (particularly from the early 2000s), and some mopeds, particularly 50cc or under. It does not name makes; its checker does.
- Put E10 in a vehicle that is not compatible? GOV.UK: 'Using a single tank of E10 petrol in a vehicle that is not compatible should not be a major problem.' You should not need to drain the tank; fill with E5 next time. Prolonged use 'may cause harm and is not recommended'.
- Fuel economy: GOV.UK expects a reduction of around 1%, 'unlikely to be noticeable in everyday driving'.
- E10 does not change whether you may drive in a clean air zone, low emission zone or ULEZ; that depends on the car's Euro emissions standard.
- Boats, garden machinery such as lawnmowers and chainsaws, and light aircraft that use MOGAS may not be compatible: GOV.UK says to check the manual or ask the maker first.
What it does not mean
E10 is a maximum, not an exact blend: the petrol may contain less ethanol. It says nothing about octane (in the UK the E10 grade is 95 octane), and a circle is never a diesel label.
Labels that go with it
Sources
Each document was fetched and read on the date shown; the clause or section is the one that sets or explains this label.
- UK Department for Transport (GOV.UK): E10 petrol explained — About E10 petrol; Compatibility; What to do if you put E10 petrol in a non-compatible vehicle; Labelling: E10 petrol contains up to 10% renewable ethanol; circular 'E10' and 'E5' labels on the dispenser and nozzle and near the filler cap of vehicles made from 2019 Checked 2026-09-29.
- UK Department for Transport (GOV.UK): Check if your vehicle can run on E10 petrol — Check if your vehicle can run on E10 petrol: the official checker for cars, vans, motorcycles and mopeds; diesel and electric vehicles cannot use E10 petrol Checked 2026-09-29.
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Alternative Fuel Labelling and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/421) — Schedule 1, Part 1, paragraph 1(f): the symbol is 'EX' where X is the maximum ethanol content in volume percentage Checked 2026-09-29.
- ACEA, ACEM, ECFD, FuelsEurope and UPEI: Fuel labelling for road vehicles: information for operators (PDF) — What is the actual meaning of the label?: 'E10' means the vehicle can use petrol containing up to 10% ethanol Checked 2026-09-29.