E10 or E5: what is the difference?

Both grades are Super petrol. The “E” stands for ethanol: bioethanol, which is made from plants such as grain or sugar beet, is blended into conventional petrol. Super E5 contains up to 5 per cent of it, Super E10 up to 10 per cent. E10 has been available at petrol stations in Germany since 2011.

The vast majority of petrol cars can. The reliable way to find out is the owner's manual, the manufacturer or your garage. The Deutsche Automobil Treuhand (DAT), a German automotive data provider, publishes an overview of E10 compatibility for many models.

Take care with some older vehicles, classic cars and many small engines, for example in lawnmowers or chainsaws – here, what the manufacturer says applies.

If you have filled a car that cannot take E10 with it by mistake, top up with E5 as soon as possible. In the opinion of experts, a single fill-up usually does no damage – if in doubt, ask a garage.

Ethanol contains slightly less energy than petrol, so consumption rises slightly with E10 – in measurements usually by around one to two per cent. At the pump, the price advantage of E10 over E5 is generally larger. How large it is right now is shown by the comparison in your city: there, every station lists the prices of all three grades.

If your car can take E10, the two grades may be mixed in any proportion. So if you switch to E10, you do not need to run the tank empty first.