Ethanol in Super Unleaded

brianahern · Jun 21, 2016

I filled up my car in France at the weekend with Total Excellium but E10. I had no choice as it would not have gone a lot further...

I am not overly concerned because I will use up the remaining fuel next weekend and go back to V Power - or not?

I have done some searching on the internet but cannot track down a definitive answer on Ethanol content in Super Unleaded, it does seem that different regional distribution depots add this stuff independently immediately prior to delivery. Shell won't confirm their Ethanol content as far I can establish, I have been very happy with V Power in this and previous cars but this has got me thinking. This stuff does appear to have some worrying characteristics.

My car is a 2009 Gen 2 so I am reasonably relaxed but wonder if anyone has any specific knowledge about brands that will continue to offer E5 as the current extension for super unleaded to be E5 expires at the end of this year as far I can tell.

The owners of older models must be thinking about this I guess..

Lancerlot · Jun 21, 2016

Brian,
This discussion may help https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=881747&high=bio
Regards,

Clive

JCX · Jun 21, 2016

I corresponded with some of the major fuel firms directly on this issue when i had my 964. Some of the firms were kind enough to respond:

From Shell: Thank you for your email. All Shell unleaded fuels contain up to 5% ethanol as allowed under the European fuel specification EN228 and UK government legislation (which requires for blending biofuels).

From Esso: Please be informed that unleaded petrol marketed by Esso contains an ethanol content of up to 5% by volume everywhere in the UK. Esso Supreme Unleaded (grade 97) petrol is largely ethanol free with the exception Scotland, the North Eastern corner of England and the far South West. In these areas our premium unleaded has an ethanol content of up to 5% by volume.

From BP: The inclusion of bioethanol in our BP Ultimate Unleaded supply chain is an evolving situation and we are therefore unable to give you categorical assurances as to its absence or presence. However we can assure you that – as required by the The Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 – the content of bioethanol in our BP Ultimate Unleaded gasoline will never be more than 5% by volume until 1^st January 2017 at the earliest.

HTH

brianahern · Jun 22, 2016

Thanks to both for the replies.

I will mail the oil companies and post any responses.

Lancerlot · Jun 22, 2016

Here's a piece I gleaned from trawling the websphere:-
"Current CEN (European Committee on Standardisation) standard for unleaded gasoline was reviewed during 2012 and a new standard published to permit up to 10% volume biofuel content (E10). In the UK, this standard was incorporated into a revised BS EN 228:2012 for premium unleaded petrol published in March 2013.
"In order for the UK to meet the 2020 targets of biofuel content of 10% by energy set out in the Directive, suppliers will need to add more renewables to their fuels from 2014 onwards. However, the timing of such a move is a commercial decision for individual fuel suppliers."
Before such a change is made, clear advice and technical information will be made available to motorists and other users via the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership and other industry websites well before the fuel is introduced.
Provisional estimates from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders indicate that approximately 70% of the petrol vehicles on UK roads are capable of using E10. For those older vehicles unable to use E10, it is anticipated that the E5 protection grade will be the more expensive super unleaded."
Regards,

Clive

JCX · Jun 22, 2016

That's useful clive.

I fail to see why anyone would not use Super+ fuels; they are better for our cars. And the cost difference is not so great when all is said and done. If you do 3k miles a year and you get 22mpg then using Super is likely to cost an extra £60/year if it is ~10p a litre more than ordinary unleaded. An average 12k miles per year is still only £240/year or £20/month on average.