Biofuels update from a recent DfT meeting

Biofuel terminology
The terms E5 and E10 refer to the proportion of ethanol in the motor fuel sold at filling stations.

What is the FBHVC?
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) is a grouping of historic vehicle clubs and museums together with some trade and Individual Supporters.
FBHVC website


See a copy of the FBHVC press release on the DfT Fuel Stakeholder meeting. More

What is FIVA?
The “Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens” (FIVA) was founded in 1966 in response to an idea formulated by a handful of organisations representing the interests of historic vehicle enthusiasts within a number of different countries. The founders felt that the time had come for an international body to promote and guide the interests of the historic vehicle movement throughout the world. At present FIVA can boast over 85 member organisations in more than 62 countries throughout the world, which in turn represent more than 1.500.000 historic vehicle enthusiasts.

FIVA’s primary objective is to encourage the safe use of self-propelled, mechanical vehicles, more than thirty years old, on the roads for the benefit of both their owners, dedicated enthusiasts and the general public. To that end FIVA, through its Events’ Commission, has devised its own code for the safe promotion of rallies or mildly competitive events, and in concert with the European Commission, has recently published a Drivers’ Code for more general guidance of historic vehicle users, which can be downloaded here.

FIVA is also concerned with the preservation of historic vehicles, which are accepted as being an important part of our industrial heritage. More


Good chance that super grade 97 (RON) petrol has no ethanol
The fuel distribution logistics are a factor so it is not always easy to know exactly which forecourts are selling ethanol-free super premium, and which are selling that grade with some added ethanol. More

Posted: 010312

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E10 is definitely not going to be introduced in the UK in 2013
One of the key messages which came from a recent meeting between the Department for Transport (DfT), FBHVC member clubs and representatives of oil companies and fuel retailers was E10 is definitely not going to be introduced in the UK in 2013. It was widely believed that E10 would be a reality in 2013, but the clarification was welcome news for historic car enthusiasts as there are are some 4 million vehicles in the UK which are not compatible with E10.

Good chance that super grade 97 (RON) petrol has no ethanol
During the discussions of the fuel distribution issues another interesting point emerged - if you buy super premium petrol with an octane quality of 97(RON) or above then there is a high probability that it does not contain ethanol. However, the fuel distribution logistics are a factor so it is not always easy to know exactly which forecourts are selling ethanol-free super premium, and which are selling that grade with some added ethanol. This grade still represents the best chance of minimising or avoiding ethanol, albeit with a cost penalty. Following the meeting we hear the FBHVC are looking into the suggestion the Federation should collaborate with the oil industry to try to establish a more detailed and accurate picture of where ethanol-free super premium petrol could be obtained for those interested in buying it. This will only be a temporary respite as it is clear that ethanol is not going to go away, and that a sensible strategy for historic car owners is to learn to live with it. A further NEWS item will follow on this topic.

Biofuels have a lower mpg than non biofuel petrol
One effect of running a car on biofuel like E5 is the reduced miles per gallon because the energy generated per unit volume of biofuel is less than non biofuel petrol. So opting for super premium 97 (RON) fuel to minimise your chances of biofuel in your purchase at the filling station pump will also produce a better mpg than running on biofuel thereby offsetting to some extent the price premium paid for the super grade fuel.

Three pronged approach to compatibility, corrosion and combustion
In previous biofuel NEWS items we have mentioned the key areas of concern with biofuel in historic cars for historic car owners are the "Three Cs" - compatibility, corrosion and combustion. In a press release following the DfT meeting the approach advocated by the Federation is:

Compatibility: move progressively to the use of compatible materials as this becomes necessary.

Corrosion: employ a proven corrosion inhibitor in the fuel tank as a precautionary measure. Ethanol absorbs moisture, particularly when standing in a vehicle laid up over the winter months, which can lead to corrosion of the fuel tank and fuel system. We are waiting for the results of the tests on anticorrosion addtives being undertaken by the FBHVC from which the Federation hopes to create an endorsement scheme for such additives that its tests have demonstrated do have a beneficial corrosion inhibiting performance for historic cars. Those tests have suffered two difficulties with consequential delays but it is hoped they will be concluded soon and the results published in the next month or so.

Combustion: adjust mixture strength to counteract the leaning effect of ethanol in the blend and reroute fuel feed lines and/or employ baffles or other thermal barrier devices to reduce heat transfer from the engine to the liquid side of the fuel metering system on the vehicle remains a valid and commonsense approach to the potential problems of the use of fuels containing ethanol.

Lobbying for the continued availability of both traditional fuels and E5

The last FBHVC newsletter reported the international organisation, FIVA, has submitted views to the European Commission on a consultation on the future infrastructure requirement to ensure the increased use of alternative fuels in the EU. The submission stated FIVA's view that both traditional fuels and E5 must remain available on the market to ensure the continued use of historic vehicles because experience has also shown significant technical problems for historic vehicles from the use of E10 - with vehicles most likely to be affected being vehicles ten years old or older, carburettored vehicles and first generation direct spark ignition vehicles.

See a copy of the FBHVC press release on the DfT Fuel Stakeholder meeting. More
V8 Register - MG Car Club - the leading group for MG V8 enthusiasts at www.v8register.net