Consultation outcome

Proposed amendment to the Motor Fuel Composition and Content Regulations 1999

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
This consultation has concluded

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Response to consultation on a proposed amendment to the motor fuel (composition and content) regulations 1999

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Motor fuel composition and content regulations, extension of petrol protection grade requirement impact assessment

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Detail of outcome

Response confirming the government’s intention to extend the current legal requirement for a petrol protection grade beyond 2013 to mitigate the risk of limited availability of an E5 (petrol which contains no more than 5% ethanol) grade in the eventuality E10 (petrol with 10% ethanol content) is introduced at a large scale while there are still a significant number of non-compatible vehicles in circulation.

The response summarises and responds to comments received on proposals to extend the current requirement for filling stations supplying 3 million litres or more and choosing to supply super unleaded that this has a maximum content of 5% ethanol (E5) for a further 3 years, the end of 2016. It also makes clear the government’s intention to bring new legislation into force in January 2014.


Original consultation

Summary

Seeks views on extending the requirement for filling stations to sell super unleaded petrol which contains no more than 5% ethanol.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

The vast majority of the UK petrol fleet is compatible with E10 fuel (petrol with 10% ethanol content), but there are still a significant number of vehicles - around 12% or 2.5 million cars - which are classified as non-compatible.

The roll out of E10 is a commercial decision and it may be possible that in certain areas E10 will replace premium E5 grade petrol (petrol which contains no more than 5% ethanol).

The government is proposing to extend the current legal requirement for a ‘protection’ grade - for engines that are not compatible with E10 petrol - for a further 3 years, to the end of 2016. This will mitigate the risk of limited availability of an E5 grade fuel while there are still a significant number of non-compatible vehicles in circulation.

Documents

Proposed amendment to the Motor Fuel Composition and Content Regulations 1999: main consultation document

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Motor fuel composition and content regulations: extension of petrol protection grade requirement impact assessment

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 29 August 2013
Last updated 11 November 2013 + show all updates
  1. Government response to proposed amendment to the Motor Fuel Composition and Content Regulations 1999 added.

  2. First published.