Independent TD Carol Nolan has called for what she says are ‘major safety concerns’ surrounding E10 fuel to be addressed before it is introduced.
E10 fuel is unleaded petrol with a higher concentration of plant-based ethanol, which helps to reduce its carbon footprint.
All unleaded fuel in Ireland is currently sold in E5 specification, which has a five per cent blend of ethanol. E10 has 10 per cent.
By using ethanol made from distilling plants, it means that ten per cent of your fuel is, theoretically, carbon-neutral and the Department of Transport estimates that by 2030, E10 — and other forms of bio-fuel including bio-diesel and Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) could save more than one-million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
However, Deputy Nolan has called on Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to address ‘serious concerns around the physical impact of E10 fuels on the safe functioning of cars and other types of motor vehicles’.
She said: “This is an incredibly serious issue with the potential to have dire outcomes for drivers and their passengers.
“I am aware that Minister Ryan has already stated that the move to E10 as the standard grade of petrol in Ireland was signalled in November 2021 when the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement 2021-2023 was published and that it will proceed as planned.
“However, I have been contacted by informed people who work within the motor trade and they have expressed significant alarm at the Minister’s insistence that E10 will be rolled out, possibly without any alternative fuel such as E5 being available at petrol pumps.
“As I understand it, E10 fuel is simply not compatible with a large number of older cars and vintage cars in particular.
“This includes some models of 2008 Toyota Avensis, 2008 Audi A4, 2007 Ford Mondeo, 2006 VW golf, and there are many others.
“E10 petrol has a higher bioethanol rate that is corrosive to rubber parts, gaskets, seals, metals and plastic and many other materials.
“This means that if a rubber hose or seal gets damaged from using E10 and that hose or seal fails and sprays high pressure petrol around the engine bay and comes in contact with a spark, or the exhaust manifold, for example, that car will turn into a fire ball very quickly. There could be a family in that car.”
“This will also affect people on low incomes who have no other choice but to have an older car.
“Given this information, I will be asking Minister Ryan for absolute guarantees around the safety aspect of the introduction and use of E10 fuel.”
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