E10 Not as Economical...

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RUNNING your car on the ethanol-blend petrol E10 may not be the good deal it looks, according to Queensland's peak motoring body.
The RACQ said a minimum of four cents a litre discount was needed to compensate for the higher fuel consumption when using E10 blends.

The lower octane level of E10 blends means cars go fewer kilometres for every litre of fuel consumed.

Major petrol station chains are typically offering two to three cents a litre discount on E10, RACQ's general manager for external relations Gary Fites said.

"With E10 increasingly being headlined on service station price boards because of its slightly lower pump price, it can look good buying for cost-conscious motorists," Mr Fites said in a statement.

"With RACQ's own field testing confirming other independent research that indicates around three per cent higher fuel consumption when using E10, a minimum discount of four cents a litre would be needed at current price levels to make use of the ethanol blend more economical than regular ULP."

Mr Fites said motorists who want to get the best value fuel should make a close check on the relative pricing of regular unleaded petrol and E10.