A state government campaign to clear up myths about E10 fuel could save motorists as much as $10 a tank at the pump.
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Looking at petrol prices in Wollongong on Wednesday, E10 was as much as 18 cents a litre cheaper than premium unleaded.
That means a saving of $10.80 when filling a 60-litre tank.
The E10 pump is also cheaper than regular unleaded, though the savings are smaller – around $1.20 on that 60-litre tank.
The government’s Fuel for Thought website allows motorists to enter their car’s details to check its compatibility with E10.
“Despite common misconceptions, E10 is not bad for your engine and is compatible with most modern cars on NSW roads today,” said NSW Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean.
“If your manufacturer says your car can take E10, you can be confident it will not harm your engine, making it a viable alternative to premium fuels.”
The NRMA Chairman Kyle Loades supported the move, saying it would help motorists save money when filling up.
“The NSW government campaign educates drivers about E10 and with the aid of the Compatibility Checker gives them greater choice when they fill up,” Mr Loades said.
While most cars on the road can safely use E10, the Fuel for Thought site lists some that should avoid it.
“High performance vehicles and older cars, particularly those built before 1986 but also any that use older technologies, such as carburetors – a device that mixes air with a fine spray of liquid fuel – , shouldn’t use E10 as those engines are not designed to run on ethanol blends,” the website states.
E10 fuel is regular unleaded mixed with around 10 per cent ethanol and is a renewable fuel when produced from agricultural sources.
Most of the ethanol in E10 in NSW is made by fermenting starch left over after wheat is made into flour.
The website is at www.e10fuelforthought.nsw.gov.au
