EU pushes new petrol as green solution yet study says it is worse for the environment
A SUPPOSEDLY greener petrol set to be introduced in the UK this year to meet EU regulations actually increases carbon dioxide emissions and will raise costs for motorists, according to new research.
The E10 fuel contains 10 per cent bio-ethanol – compared to the current five per cent – and is being rolled out across the UK as part of the EU’s renewable energy directive, which requires 10 per cent of road transport energy to be from renewable sources by 2020.
But trials by consumer advice group What Car claimed that carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions increased in every vehicle tested.
The research also said that the new fuel is less efficient than the one currently being used, so cars need more petrol, which will cost UK drivers billions of pounds a year.
“The European Directive is clearly well-intentioned, but it is both surprising and worrying that [tests showed] that carbon dioxide emissions actually increased and fuel economy fell by as much as 10 per cent on vehicles using E10,” said David Bizley, technical director at roadside assistance service RAC.
“If motorists are required to use a less efficient fuel then government should be considering reducing the fuel duty on E10 to offset any reduction in fuel economy.”