Pass N Go’s guide to the different fuel types in the UK

12th February 2020

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When you pull into any petrol station you know about Unleaded Petrol or diesel but you might be surprised by just how many different types of fuel there is available.

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Here is our simple guide for new drivers on fuels in the UK and in Europe.

These are the most common fuel types in the UK:

  • Petrol: The most common fuel used for cars in the UK, also known as unleaded. The term unleaded is short for unleaded petrol and it refers to petrol without lead compounds. Modern day petrol cars run on unleaded fuel. In the 1980’s it was a different story, as cars that used petrol engines used petrol that contained lead, this was to protect component of the car this type of petrol what was known as four-star petrol. European legislation blocked the sale of leaded petrol in 2000.
  • Diesel: This fuel type commonly used for HGV and Buses, as well as cars in the UK. In some cities that have Clean Air Zones these vehicles do tend to have higher charges to enter. Common diesel types are regular diesel (low sulphur) and premium diesel
  • Electric: More common on the roads now as most car manufacturers are producing electric cars, battery electric vehicles are powered only by a rechargeable plug-in battery
  • Hybrid: Like electric powered cars hybrid is more popular now. Hybrid vehicles are powered by either petrol or diesel and electric, there are two types of hybrid car: plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid

Other options for fuel but not available at all petrol stations.

  • LPG: Liquefied Petroleum Gas is made of butane and propane. Available at most UK fuel stations cars need to be specially converted to run on the gas.
  • Biofuels: biofuels are currently blended with both standard unleaded petrol and standard diesel.

 

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How will I recognise the correct fuel when traveling in Europe?

In 2018, the EU announced plans to standardise petrol and diesel labeling across Europe so when you fill up it will be with the right fuel at the pump wherever you are.

Instead of being called “unleaded” or “diesel”, fuels are now referred to using their bio fuel blend.

 

Unleaded Fuel will be displayed as E5 this means that the unleaded will have a maximum of 5% renewable fuel (Ethenol) or your car may advise E10 this means Unleaded Petrol with a Maximum of 10% renewable fuel (Ethanol)  and Diesel will be displayed as B7 this means like unleaded that it has a maximum of 7% Renewable Fuel (Bio diesel)

More information can be found at http://www.knowyourfuel.campaign.gov.uk

Source: HM Government

 

 

What is the difference with Premium Unleaded and Super Unleaded?

So you know your car needs unleaded petrol and you pull up at the pump but which unleaded do i choose?. This can be confusing too but you will normally see Premuim Unleaded or Super Unleaded, we will advise differences and benefits of them. All Unleaded Petrol contain up to 5% bioethanol and are distinguished by their Research Octane Number (RON):

Premium Unleaded (95 RON) – this would be the standard unleaded in the forecourt

Super Unleaded (97/98 RON) – The benefits of using a higher-octane rating fuel includes improved engine performance and lower consumption. The difference in fuel consumption could seem so small to the point it’s unnoticeable, but it depends really on how you drive and the type of car you have.