Fuel Types & Quality
E5 vs E10
What is E5 petrol now called?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 4 industry sources
E5 petrol is now labelled 'Super' at UK forecourts. When E10 became the standard 95 octane petrol in September 2021, E5 was retained as a protected grade sold under the 'Super' name — typically the 97+ octane premium fuels such as Shell V-Power, BP Ultimate, and Esso Synergy Supreme+.
Why E5 Was Renamed 'Super'
E10 became the standard grade:
From September 2021, E10 replaced E5 as the default 95 octane petrol at UK pumps, containing up to 10% bioethanol instead of the previous 5%.
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E5 retained as a protected fuel:
The UK government mandated that E5 must remain available at larger forecourts under the name 'Super', protecting drivers of vehicles incompatible with E10.
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New pump labelling:
Fuel labelling was updated in line with EU standard EN 228. The circular 'E5' label now appears on premium pumps, and the circular 'E10' label appears on standard 95 octane pumps.
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What 'Super' Fuel Looks Like at the Pump
97+ octane rating:
Super-grade E5 fuels are premium unleaded products rated at 97 octane or above, including Shell V-Power (99 RON), BP Ultimate (97 RON), and equivalents from Esso and Texaco.
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Higher price than standard E10:
Because Super is a premium product, it typically costs 10–20p per litre more than standard E10 unleaded at the same station.
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Not available everywhere:
Smaller and independent forecourts are not legally required to stock Super/E5, so availability varies. Larger branded stations and motorway services are your most reliable options.
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Who Still Needs E5 Super?
Older and classic vehicles:
Cars registered before 2002 may not be compatible with E10. Owners of these vehicles should use Super (E5) to avoid potential damage to rubber seals and fuel system components.
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Check your vehicle's compatibility:
The government's E10 compatibility checker lets you confirm whether your car can run on E10 or requires the Super E5 grade.
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Finding Super (E5) Near You
Prices vary between stations:
Super-grade fuel prices differ significantly between branded forecourts, even in the same town. It is worth comparing before you fill up.
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Use CheckFuelPrices to compare:
CheckFuelPrices shows live petrol prices at 4,000+ UK stations updated every 30 minutes, helping you find the cheapest Super-grade E5 near you.
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Sources
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