E10 fuel changes: These cars ‘will be hit worse’ by new petrol introduced next year

E10 fuel changes may not be compatible with up to 600,000 classic cars after fears the new bioethanol petrol could damage key parts. Incompatible cars can continue using existing E5 fuel for the time being being the government has said it can only guarantee its sale for five years after E10 is introduced. 

Many may decide to upgrade key car parts to modern specification to run on the new E10 fuel. 

However, owners of large engined cars will still need to pay a premium for E10 fuel even if they upgrade their vehicle. 

Switching to the new fuel is likely to see an increase in petrol costs for all motorists with prices set to rise by up over one percent. 

The Department for Transport’s impact assessment revealed the introduction of E10 “will add to fuel costs paid by motorists”. 

Spraking to Express.co.uk a spokesperson revaled that many owners only used their cars for less than 1,000 miles per year so a small rise would not be felt by many topping up regularly. 

They said: “I don’t think classic car owners would be that worried about a small increase in prices at the pumps.

“Most classic car owners do less than 1,000 miles per annum in their cars and generally only use them for six months of the year.”

Cars built before 2002 are not advised to use the new fuel at all while some models built up to 2011 may also be affected. 

Tests conducted by the Department foTransport have identified a range of issues when older cars use the new E10 fuel. 

Issues include degradation to fuel hoses and seals, blocked fuel filters, damaged fuel pumps and corroded carburetors.