This increase in alcohol content is an attempt to improve emissions. Here in the UK they are rolling out ULEZ Zones (Ultra Low Emission Zone) in several major cities. Motorcycles are currently exempt under this new ruling, and I understand tax exempt vehicles are as well. A little loophole that includes all types of historic vehicles. Military Vehicles are also exempt. How weird is that? If your vehicle does not conform to the low emission standard and is not exempt, you can still enter the zone, but the ANPR System (Big Brother) will clock you. The system will allow you to pay before entering the zone, or soon after leaving it. No pay......big fine.
They won't improve the roads to allow easier travel, any update or improvement to inner city roads and simple traffic management is a long time coming and authority is content to let the populace sit in endless tailbacks, all stationary, all running the AirCon and making more unnecessary pollution. Now while your choice of vehicle is entirely up to you, there is a trend for ever larger 4X4's typically ferrying the kids to school. You'd think a trend to smaller vehicles would be good for the planet and make better use of road space and parking. But that's not where the money is and we get what we get. Fiddle while Rome burns? Yup.