Guide
E10 Fuel Explained — Can Your Car Use It?
E10 is regular unleaded blended with up to 10% ethanol. It's usually a few cents per litre cheaper than standard 91, which makes it tempting — but it doesn't suit every car, and the saving is smaller than the price gap suggests. Here's how E10 really compares, and how to check whether your car can run it.
What is E10 fuel?
E10 is standard unleaded petrol mixed with up to 10% ethanol (a plant-based alcohol). The ethanol lifts the octane rating to around 94 RON — higher than regular 91 — while keeping E10 at the cheaper end of the price board. See What is RON? for what octane actually means.
Can my car use E10?
Most petrol cars built from around 2000 onward can run E10 — but not all. Some older vehicles, some imports, and specific engines are not approved for ethanol blends, and using E10 in a car that isn't rated for it can affect fuel-system components over time.
Check before you fill:
- The inside of your fuel filler flap — many cars print the approved fuels there
- Your owner's manual
- Your manufacturer's E10 compatibility list
If your car requires premium (95 or 98), don't use E10 — it's below the octane your engine needs. See Which fuel for my car?.
E10 vs 91 — is E10 actually cheaper?
E10 usually sells a few cents per litre below 91, but a litre of E10 contains slightly less energy, so you burn a little more of it for the same distance.
| 91 (regular ULP) | E10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Octane | 91 RON | ~94 RON |
| Typical pump price | Baseline | A few c/L cheaper |
| Energy per litre | Baseline | ~3% lower |
| Net result | — | Often a small real saving, sometimes line-ball |
The rule of thumb: E10 is worth using if the price gap to 91 is more than about 3% — otherwise the extra litres cancel out the cheaper price. The Insights panel's All fuel types view shows E10 and 91 side by side so you can judge the gap on the day.
Does E10 use more fuel?
Slightly — roughly 3% more litres for the same distance, because ethanol holds less energy than petrol. For most drivers it's barely noticeable, and the lower pump price usually offsets it. It's only worth avoiding E10 if the price gap to 91 has narrowed to almost nothing.
Where can I buy E10 in Australia?
E10 is widely sold in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, and reported in those states' government feeds. It is not part of the WA FuelWatch or Tasmanian feeds, so it doesn't appear for those states in the app. See Coverage by state.
To find it: open Petrol Australia, set the fuel type filter to E10, and the map shows only stations selling it, with live prices.
Related: What is RON? · Which fuel for my car? · Petrol prices Australia
Compare E10 and 91 prices near you — download Petrol Australia for iPhone and Android at petrolaustralia.com.au.