Tag: fuel

Fuelling a greener future: E10 petrol now available at pumps

  • pumps up and down the country will now serve greener E10 petrol which could cut transport emissions by the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road each year
  • drivers can check to see if their vehicle is compatible, with E5 petrol remaining available for the minority of older vehicles which aren’t compatible
  • introduction will boost job opportunities in the north-east of England, making way for a green industrial revolution as we build back better and reduce our carbon footprint

Fuel pumps across Great Britain are now greener, with the introduction of E10 as the new standard grade of petrol, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced today (1 September 2021).

Over 95% of all petrol vehicles are compatible with E10, with the small number of older vehicles, including classic cars and some from the early 2000s, still able to access E5 petrol in the ‘Super’ grade. Motorists should use the government’s free online E10 checker to see if their vehicle is compatible.

E10 will not be more expensive at the pump than current standard petrol. Although using E10 petrol can marginally impact fuel economy – generally around 1% – this will be almost unnoticeable to most drivers when making every day journeys.

E10 petrol – which is blended with up to 10% renewable ethanol and made up of materials such as low-grade grains, sugars and waste wood, making it greener than existing petrol – could cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off of UK roads. The move will help us reach our climate change goals as we prepare to host COP26 this November and makes it easier for people across the country to switch to greener lifestyles.

The E10 rollout this month will also support the increased production of biofuels at bioethanol plants in the north-east of England. Not only will this boost job opportunities in the local area, with the 2 big plants providing around 200 skilled jobs directly, it will also support thousands in the wider local economy including in the agriculture sector that supply the feed-wheat needed to run the plant.

This will help to build a new green economy, revitalising our industrial heartlands and supporting the UK’s wider bioeconomy as we build back greener from the pandemic.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Every journey matters as we drive forward the green industrial revolution, which is why the rollout of E10 is so important. It’ll help us cut road greenhouse gas emissions and meet our ambitious net zero targets.

“Although more and more drivers are switching to electric, there are steps we can take today to reduce emissions from the millions of vehicles already on our roads – the small switch to E10 petrol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we accelerate towards a greener transport future.

Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “This is a positive and simple step to help reduce the carbon impact from road transport. While the vast majority of vehicles will be unaffected by the change, it is important for owners of older cars to use the government’s vehicle checker to see if they can use E10.

“Even if E10 is put in a non-compliant vehicle, drivers should not panic and can simply put super unleaded in their tank at the next available opportunity.”

Charging Ahead: Morrisons to expand largest network of ultra-fast electric car charging points

– Morrisons has more rapid charging points for electric vehicles than any UK supermarket –

– Electric cars are charged six times more quickly than standard charging points used at other supermarkets –

– Morrisons will expand to a further 100 locations in the next twelve months –

– Its charging network has already saved 2,000 tonnes of carbon to date –

Morrisons is expanding the UK’s largest supermarket network of ‘next generation’ rapid electric charging points for electric vehicles, allowing customers to charge the majority of cars from flat to full battery in under 45 minutes. 

Over the next twelve months Morrisons will add an additional 100 rapid chargers to its network. Having recently installed its 200th GeniePoint rapid charge point, Morrisons has also saved 2,000 tonnes of carbon along the way.  The network now provides full coverage in both England and Wales, spanning from Redruth in the tip of Cornwall to Amble in the North East of England. A roll out in Scotland will begin this month. 

Morrisons ‘next generation’ rapid chargers can charge an electric car up to six times quicker than standard charging points used by other supermarkets.

They will enable customers to charge their car up even during a short shopping trip or a quick visit to a Morrisons Cafe. A typical 30-40  minute charge will give drivers up to 100 miles of travel range. Over the course of the summer, Morrisons is expecting to serve over half a million kilowatt hours of green energy,  as more families travel during their summer holidays in the UK.

Morrisons partnership with EQUANS means that customers will never be more than 50 miles from a rapid charger. The GeniePoint charging points have been located around the perimeter of Morrisons car parks to ensure they are available to those who need them and not obstructed by other customers.

Andrew Ball, Fuel & Services Manager of Morrisons, said: “We know customers don’t want to spend hours waiting for their cars to charge, which is why we’ve made the decision to install the next generation of rapid chargers.

“It’s important that we continue to offer our customers the convenience of charging their EVs as they shop or eat with us. This summer, whether they’re hitting the coast or visiting the beautiful countryside, customers can take comfort in knowing they are always close to one of our charging points.”

All of the electricity used for charging will come from zero-carbon energy sources like wind and solar.

Recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that there are more than   450,000 EVs on UK roads, of which approximately 50% are battery operated vehicles*.

Demand for reliable, rapid electric vehicle charging facilities is growing and drivers want to see chargers situated at convenient locations where their vehicles can be charged whilst they carry on with their day-to-day activities.

Morrisons customers can register to use the GeniePoint chargers via the web app www.geniepoint.co.uk, which is free to join. There is no monthly fee and drivers only pay for the electricity they use which costs 35-39p per kW hour. Customers can also pay for a charge via the GeniePoint App, available from the App Store or Google Play, or by RFID card.

People’s Energy offer help to displaced Robin Hood Energy customers

The founders of People’s Energy, a community interest energy company set up with the aim of eradicating fuel poverty, have expressed their sadness at the decision of Nottingham City Council to sell Robin Hood Energy to British Gas.

The news comes following a strategic review of the council owned energy firm, which was originally launched as a competitor to the Big Six. With similar aims to People’s Energy, Robin Hood was the first not-for-profit energy company in the UK, however it has been blighted by financial problems and a critical report from external auditors Grant Thornton showed it put tens of millions of taxpayer funds at risk.

The Robin Hood Energy website says it was set up ‘to help give people a cheaper, more helpful alternative to the Big Six’. The failed firm has now been sold to the highest bidder, meaning that well-meaning households who had chosen Robin Hood Energy for its doing-good mission, will now be automatically switched to British Gas, which despite many years of huge profits to shareholders, last year made a £1.1 billion loss.

The team behind People’s Energy believe it would be much better for the people of Nottingham, and other customers across the country, to have been transferred to an ethical energy company more in line with the initial vision for Robin Hood Energy.

People’s Energy was set up to provide an alternative to the Big Six and has pledged to return 75% of its profits to its customers in the coming years.

Launched in 2017 following a successful crowdfunding campaign, People’s Energy is growing fast, with 180,000 customers in just three years. The organisation’s mission is to eradicate fuel poverty, which it aims to do through charitable projects and partnerships with local authorities, amongst other activities. People’s Energy has no external shareholders to report to and has customer and staff representation on its advisory board.

People’s Energy has now set up a free helpline for any Robin Hood Energy customers who would like to discuss their options for switching. Concerned customers can call 0131 3701819 free of charge over the next ten days.

Karin Sode, co-founder of People’s Energy said: “We were saddened to hear that Robin Hood Energy has been sold to one of the very companies it was set up to disrupt and our thoughts are with the 250 Robin Hood employees who have been made redundant during this process.

“As this, and other failed not-for-profit energy companies, has shown, running energy companies should be left to the experts and we believe a better model is for councils to work with strategic partners to offer lower cost energy to their residents. Partnering with an existing energy firm and negotiating a competitive rate is win-win for everyone and avoids councils being burdened with huge financial risk when things go wrong.

“A great example of this is the new tariff we’ve just introduced with East Lothian Council. We are offering all East Lothian residents a deal significantly below our already competitive rates and would like to do more of this across the country.

“Our aim, as the UK’s first community interest energy company, is putting people before profits and right now we feel compelled to help the hundreds of thousands of Robin Hood Energy customers faced with a transfer to an energy company they don’t want.

“We welcome any former Robin Hood Energy customers who would like to be supplied by an ethical, customer-owned company that doesn’t report to external shareholders. We’d love to hear from anyone interested via our dedicated helpline.”

People’s Energy has a specialist team set up to support Local Authorities and housing associations across the UK who are interested in a very low risk alternative to offering residents competitive energy pricing.

They can be contacted here: www.peoplesenergy.co.uk/robin-hood

Government agrees measures with energy industry to support vulnerable people

The UK Government has agreed new emergency measures with the energy industry to protect the domestic energy supply of those most in need during the disruption caused by COVID-19.

From today, customers with pre-payment meters who may not be able to add credit can speak to their supplier about options to keep them supplied. This will benefit over 4 million customers.

This could include nominating a third party for credit top ups, having a discretionary fund added to their credit, or being sent a pre-loaded top up card so that their supply is not interrupted.

More broadly, any energy customer in financial distress will also be supported by their supplier, which could include debt repayments and bill payments being reassessed, reduced or paused where necessary, while disconnection of credit meters will be completely suspended.

Secretary of State for Business and Energy, Alok Sharma, said: “While friends and family will play a role in helping people impacted by the Coronavirus, we recognise there will be many customers who will need additional support and reassurance, particularly those who are financially impacted or in vulnerable circumstances.

“The government has committed to do whatever it takes to get our nation through the impacts of this coronavirus pandemic. Today those most in need can rest assured that a secure supply of energy will continue to flow into their homes during this difficult time.”

The government and energy industry have agreed to prioritise those existing customers most in need, while identifying customers whose circumstances may have changed as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19.

Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, Dame Gillian Guy, said: “This is an uncertain time for many people. Energy suppliers need to play their part by communicating clearly and supporting their customers as much as possible.

“Keeping people on supply, making sure they have warm homes and don’t face additional financial or other stresses about their energy supply will be essential.

“Suppliers will need to put in place support measures for people on prepayment meters, people and families who need to self-isolate or take steps to reduce social contact, and people who may otherwise be in vulnerable situations.”

The measures set out and agreed will be implemented immediately by energy suppliers to alleviate pressure on energy customers.

Chief executive of Energy UK, Audrey Gallacher, said: “As providers of essential services and critical infrastructure, the energy industry has well-practised contingency plans in order to ensure the delivery of services and is working closely with the Government on a daily basis to ensure there is no disruption to the generation and supply of energy to customers during these extraordinary circumstances.

“The sector is very conscious of the potential consequences for customers confined to their homes for prolonged periods and in particular those customers in vulnerable circumstances or on prepayment meters who may need additional help. Suppliers will be doing all they can to identify such customers and provide additional support wherever possible.”

Ofgem will continue to ensure suppliers meet their regulatory obligations. However the government also recognises this will be a challenging time for many supply businesses.

The Chancellor has this week set out a package of targeted measures to support businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. This includes £330 billion for companies to access loans, a business rates holiday, and help for small firms without insurance. In addition, a new temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is to be launched in days to support businesses access £1 billion of additional bank lending.

Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, David Smith, said: “These are unprecedented times but the energy industry is working hard to keep gas and electricity flowing, look after our vulnerable customers and keep customers and staff safe.

“The UK’s electricity and gas network is one of the most reliable in the world and over 36,000 employees are working flat out to continue to provide a safe and reliable supply of energy during this time.”

Customers that are unable to top up their pre-payment meter are advised to contact their supplier immediately to discuss how they can be kept on supply.

Ofgem recommends consumers leave the meter box unlocked if they need someone else to top up the meter. Smart meter customers should be able to top-up remotely, such as by phone, mobile application or online.

Natalie Hitchins, Head of Homes Products and Services, Which?, said: “Hardup energy customers will breathe a sigh of relief that these new emergency measures will protect them from steep bills and losing their energy supply during these uncertain times.

“If you are worried about your ability to pay your energy bill because of the impact of coronavirus on your circumstances, it’s important to talk to your supplier as soon as possible to discuss your situation and find out what kind of support they can offer you.”

The UK government is working in lock step with the Devolved Administrations, World Health Organization, and international partners to keep the whole of the UK safe. Its approach is clinically led, based on the expert advice of the UK’s Chief Medical Officer for England, the NHS and Public Health England.