The introduction of E10 – is your infrastructure fit for greener fuels?

The effects of E10 on your fuel storage infrastructure

E10 biofuel is a mixture of petrol and ethanol made from products including low-grade grains, sugars, and waste wood. Its green credentials come from the biofuel’s 10% renewable ethanol content – double that of the standard 5% (E5) blends presently sold throughout the UK.

While the average driver may spot the difference on the forecourt come September, E10 fuel is by no means new – and industry insiders have been expecting the shift for some years. Globally, E10 blends have been implemented in many European countries, Australia and the US and used to gauge new car emissions and performance since 2016.

We’re already supporting a number of proactive oil companies, supermarkets, and independent groups to upgrade their fuel management and maintenance systems in line with the E10 transfer. With the September deadline now set, however, the countdown is on for all affected businesses to mitigate environmental risks and possible damage to essential assets. These might include:

• Contaminated fuel write-offs. By nature, E10 produces an even more potent cleaning effect on tank internal walls than E5 petrol. If rust is already present in your tanks, it’s likely to find its way into fuel stores following your initial E10 download, risking the quality of your reserves.
• Containment issues. Are your gaskets and seals resistant to E10? If fittings on tank lids and pipework aren’t made of appropriate material, you could fall victim to hazardous leakages, spills and pollution events.
• Tank lining failures. While steel containers should maintain their integrity while housing E10, lined tanks may not be up to the job. Lining resins could be steadily eroded by E10’s increased ethanol levels, making tank failure a possibility.