E10
is coming in 2012
Gordon
Hesketh-Jones spotted this report from the motor magazine Auto
Express.
For useful background information on the
biofuels and classic cars, see the FBHVC website. More
What is the FBHVC?
The
Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs(FBHVC) is a grouping
of almost 500 Clubs and Museums together with some 1500 Trade
and Individual Supporters. The aim of the FBHVC is to uphold
the freedom to use old vehicles on the roads without any undue
restriction and to support its member organisations in whatever
way it can.
FBHVC website
What
are the concerns with biofuel for MG enthusiasts?
See our gateway to biofuel information available on the V8 website.
More

Coming soon - we have an article coming up for publication in
the January 2012 issue of the Club magazine on the problems
with ethanol in classic cars, what damage has been seen with
SU fuel system components and what alternative materials have
been used for replacement parts? The article follows a recent
meeting with Burlen the owners of SU carburettors in Wiltshire.
Posted: 221111
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A
recent
report in motoring magazine AutoExpress says
"at least one million motorists could be forced
to buy premium fuel from next year - paying an average
8p per litre more at the pumps - as the UK Government
prepares to increase the biofuel content in regular
unleaded." At present petrol on sale in the
UK contains up to five per cent ethanol, known as
E5, which is safe to use in most cars but in 2012
it is likely to be replaced by E10 containing 10%
ethanol - a blend the Department for Transport (DfT)
acknowledges is not suitable for most pre 1993 cars
and many newer models too.
Auto Express report that "a
DfT statement said the use of E10 shouldn't affect
the operation of modern cars "with the exception
of direct-injection vehicles". However, it
added: "older carburetted cars are unlikely
to be compatible with ethanol in excess of five
per cent." Limited
space on filling station forecourts is being blamed
for the removal of standard unleaded petrol, which
would be forced out if the new eco-friendly fuel
gets the Government green light."
The report adds that BP and Tesco have already confirmed
to Auto Express that an owner with an older car
which cannot use E10 would be restricted to buying
super unleaded grades of fuel on their forecourts
as they will continue to be E5 fuels. They add a
Tesco spokesman had told Auto Express that their
"premium unleaded, Momentum 99, would then
be our E5 fuel."
The AA has warned that the introduction of E10,
which is being driven by an EU directive, will hit
cash-strapped motorists driving older cars hardest.
It advised owners to check their car's E10 compatibility
with the manufacturer. The number of motorists affected
by this change to E10 is larger than many might
realise - DfT figures show there were more than
700,000 vehicles on the road last year with 1993
or older registration marks. So
it is not just classic MG enthusiasts who face this
problem.
An EU Directive requires that EU Member States ensure
that supplies of 5% ethanol content petrol are maintained
until 2013. This is intended to support the operation
of older cars some of which are not compatible with
10% ethanol content. Presumably they assume older
cars will have all gone by 2013 - or their owners!
Two daily MGV8 users report they are already using
Shell V Power, their super grade, in their MGBGTV8s.
Both Gordon Hesketh-Jones and Howard Gosling report
smoother running and a noticeable improvement in
mpg on Shell V Power. On the other hand Bob Owen
reports a less favourable experience with super
grade fuel in his MGBGTV8.
See the Auto Express report on their website. More |
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