Fuel Types & Quality
E5 vs E10
Who sells E5 petrol near me?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 4 industry sources
E5 petrol is available at most UK filling stations, sold as Super Unleaded (97 or 98 octane), while standard unleaded is now E10. Since September 2021, all forecourts with more than one grade of petrol are legally required to stock E5 as the protected grade for older and incompatible vehicles.
What E5 Petrol Is and Where It Sits on the Forecourt
E5 is Super Unleaded:
E5 petrol contains up to 5% bioethanol and is sold as Super Unleaded, typically rated at 97 or 98 RON. Standard unleaded (95 RON) became E10 across the UK in September 2021.
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Protected grade requirement:
UK law requires any forecourt selling more than one grade of petrol to keep E5 available as the protected grade. Stations with only one grade dispense E10.
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Branded equivalents:
Shell V-Power (99 RON), BP Ultimate Unleaded (97 RON), and Esso Synergy Supreme+ (99 RON) are all E5 fuels. They carry different names but meet the same E5 standard.
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Which Stations Stock E5 Near You
Supermarkets:
Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons all sell a Super Unleaded E5 grade alongside standard E10, though not every supermarket forecourt carries it — especially smaller sites.
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Branded stations:
Shell, BP, Esso, and Texaco stations are the most consistent suppliers of E5, and their premium-grade pumps are widely available across the UK network.
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Independent stations:
Some independent forecourts only stock one petrol grade (E10), so always check before travelling out of your way if E5 is essential for your vehicle.
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Why You Might Need E5
Older and classic vehicles:
Cars built before 2002 and many motorcycles, mopeds, and classic vehicles may not be compatible with E10. For these, E5 Super Unleaded is the recommended fuel.
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Check your compatibility:
The Government's E10 compatibility checker lets you confirm whether your make and model requires E5. If it does, using E10 can cause fuel system damage over time.
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Performance benefit:
Even in E10-compatible cars, E5 Super Unleaded's higher octane rating can benefit turbocharged and high-performance engines through improved combustion efficiency.
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Find the Cheapest E5 Petrol Near You
Prices vary significantly:
E5 Super Unleaded typically costs 10–15p per litre more than standard E10, but prices differ between stations in the same area. Checking before you fill saves money.
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Live prices on CheckFuelPrices:
CheckFuelPrices shows live Super Unleaded prices at 4,000+ UK stations, updated every 30 minutes. Search by postcode or town to find the nearest and cheapest E5 near you.
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Sources
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