Roger Bibbings, convener of the VMCC (Vintage Motor Cycle Club) Regulatory Action Group, has made an urgent appeal to all bikers, whether owners of older or modern machines, to make their views known on a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol in petrol. A government consultation ends on 16 September.
Bibbings is concerned that a government commitment to continue supplies and availability of the current E5 [unleaded fuel with 5% ethanol – itself damaging even to modern motorcycles] does not go far enough. Bibbings say ethanol, which creates water when it degrades, damages motorcycle engines and causes corrosion of steel petrol tanks and swelling of plastic fuel tanks.
He writes:
“As you may already be aware, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), to which the VMCC belongs, is responding to a Department for Transport (DfT) consultation document on the subject of introducing higher levels of ethanol in petrol. The key point is that many older vehicles are likely to suffer damage and possibly dangerous fuel leaks, if the E10 grade of petrol is used without modification to their fuel systems. For the purposes of this consultation the Government is focusing on vehicles more than 25 years old.
“The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has designed a survey on petrol usage in older vehicles to provide them with valuable evidence in the consultation response. It has been asking our members to complete the survey to help them in their efforts to preserve our right to use ‘Yesterday’s Vehicles on Tomorrow’s Roads’. When results are collated, a copy of the response will be made available on the Federation’s website.
“There are just a few days left in which to respond to the survey (closing date 31 August 2018). If they have not already done so, please encourage your Section members and other enthusiasts to complete it by forwarding this email to them so that they will be able to follow the survey link.
“Here are some points to consider.
·     Whilst wishing to introduce the higher ethanol level E10 (10% ethanol) grade of fuel, the Government says it is guaranteeing that a ‘protection grade’ of petrol at the E5 grade that is equivalent to the currently available 95 RON petrol, will still be available. But this guarantee will only last until 2020 when a further consultation will take place.
·     It is likely that when E10 at the 95 RON level is introduced, the currently available ‘Super’ grades with an octane level of 97 RON or higher, will cease to be available.
·     Fuel changes are a very serious development concerning anyone who runs an older vehicle. Ethanol can degrade certain kinds of seals; it is hygroscopic and therefore attracts water which can cause corrosion, particularly when the fuel is left in vehicles.
·     HM Government is going to impose these changes. It is under a lot of pressure to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions and effectively removing 10% of carbon emissions at a stroke is understandably attractive. But there are also serious questions about the impact of biofuel production on biodiversity.
·     Once E10 petrol becomes the standard pump fare, re-fuelling away from a population centre such as in most of Scotland, will be impossible for any older vehicle.
·     E30 fuel may not far off. So we need to make sure alternative fuels are still available.
·     Should the historic vehicle movement be concentrating its response on the octane level of the proposed ‘protection grade’ fuel when the very existence of this alternative could be under threat in just two years’ time?
·     If E10 cannot be stopped, what research, development and other solutions might be needed to help us continue to use older vehicles in a rapidly changing automotive world?
Please respond quickly to the survey if you have not already done so.
Do your bit to defend our right to ride vintage and classic motor cycles!”
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