Australian motorists are missing out on significant savings at the bowser due to an aversion to ethanol-blended E10 petrol, according to industry experts. Many drivers wrongly believe their car cannot use E10 or that it could damage their engine or void their warranty.
Misconceptions debunked
Chemical engineer and Kiss Regulatory Consulting Principal Barbara Kiss says these myths have been clearly debunked. "In Australia, E10 is suitable for approximately 97 per cent of the vehicle fleet, including all petrol vehicles manufactured after 2000," she explains. The NSW Government confirms E10 meets the same fuel quality standards as other petrol and is compatible with most modern vehicles.
Cost savings
E10 is typically around two cents per litre cheaper than regular unleaded, and significantly cheaper than premium fuels. Manildra Group Managing Director John Honan notes that "E10 can be around 24 cents per litre cheaper than Premium 98, equating to around $12 per tank on a 50-litre fill-up and potential annual savings of more than $600 for drivers."
Availability and usage
E10 is widely available, sold at almost two-thirds of service stations in New South Wales, yet motorists still prefer regular unleaded. The Australian Institute of Petroleum reports customers buy twice as much ULP91 as E10, a preference that has remained steady for 20 years.
Energy content and efficiency
One downside is that E10 contains slightly less energy than regular unleaded, meaning fewer kilometres per tank. However, Honan says "NSW Government guidance estimates the difference in fuel consumption at around 3 per cent – that’s comparable to driving on under-inflated tyres."
Domestic production potential
Australia has the capacity to produce more ethanol domestically, yet nearly 27 million litres of ethanol have been exported since the fuel crisis began. The Federal Government is investing $1.1 billion to support domestic production of low-emissions fuels, and plans to consult on a demand measure to boost local production.
For Kiss, the issue is about choice. "Australia already has sovereign fuel production capacity," she says. "It is a practical solution that requires no changes to vehicles, no new technology and no change to how Australians drive."
