How the switch from ULP to E10 will affect you

As of July 1 next year, regular unleaded petrol is to be phased out in favour of an ethanol blend – which means motorists will need to know which pump to pick at their local service station.

Throughout NSW, straight unleaded petrol (ULP) will be replaced with E10, which is standard ULP with 10 per cent ethanol added.

An estimated 163,000 vehicles in NSW built pre-1986 are recommended not to use ethanol. Most would already be using premium unleaded with valve protection additive, and now many thousands more post-1986 vehicles incompatible with ethanol will need to fill up with premium.

Perhaps the most significant make affected is Mazda – none of its cars built before 2005 can accept ethanol blend fuels. Many 1990s Toyota brands will also need to switch to premium. A full list is available at the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ website.

Blends and octane levels vary between companies, so those whose cars cannot accept ethanol or need a particular RON will need to take care when filling up – see table below.

Most machines with small engines, such as chainsaws, whipper-snippers and Japanese motorcycles, are also not compatible with ethanol and will need premium unleaded.

NRMA supports the ULP phase out as a positive move towards reducing dependence on fossil fuels. “Premium is around 15 per cent of the Australian petrol market at present, but can be expected to increase,” said NRMA vehicle expert, Jack Haley. “As noted above, many owners of older vehicles should be using premium anyway, as they were designed for the old super grade 97 octane, but for those who use ULP, such as Japanese-sourced vehicles, there will be a cost increase. At a usage of 1000 litres a year (older vehicles do fewer kilometres) and a price difference of 10 cents, the total extra cost will be $100 a year or $2 per week. Motorists with vehicles suitable for E10 will not experience any cost increase.” 

Critics of bio-fuels claim they can have an environmental impact of their own, but NRMA believes the way these fuels are produced is key.

“NRMA’s policy is that the production of bio-fuels should not compete with food crops,” explained Mr Haley. “The Jamison Group report suggests developing a sugar cane industry in northern Australia with due regard to environmental factors. Ethanol saves around three per cent of greenhouse gases when used in an E10 blend. Biodiesel’s environmental benefit depends very much on how it is sourced – if it is from waste material, such as used cooking oil, the benefit is large. If from crops such as canola, it is less so. The CSIRO has done extensive work on biofuels.” 

Open Road July/August 2010