Ethanol Content in Super Unleaded sold in UK

Thanks for your research, Stan.

You didn't day if your sample came from a pump with a RED label.? (E0)

The pump I use is based at Dunnington, near York with a RED label.

Ironically this is delivered by 'Green Energy' based in Teesside. (An Ethanol zone)

The young man who works at this filling station obtains the data from the tanker driver. Almost E0 or residue from a previous delivery, something like 0.01% from memory.

But remember, Stan that the ethanol is added or not at the distribution point. The mixing takes place on the road if added. In this case not.

So please check that the label at the pumps RED and not BLUE. Otherwise Esso has some explaining to do...

I managed an Asda petrol station in the north Portsmouth area until recently. The fuels were always supplied by Esso but curiously never came from Fawley. This I never understood as it seemed bonkers to send tankers 200 miles when there was a refinery just 40 miles along the coast.

My petrol station only sold basic Unleaded and Diesel but there were two Esso and a single Shell garage, within a 5 mile radius, all selling Super Unleaded with E5 stickers on the pumps and other labels mentioning zero Ethanol.  For reasons that could not be explained by the Esso station staff.......at one garage the petrol was labelled as 97 Ron and at the other it was 99 Ron.

I ceased to take petrol station staff seriously after I was refused sand to treat a couple of gallons of gas that lay under my car , apparently they don’t like mess . 

Hi Philip,

I'm told old that all fuel up to 5% % has to have ab E5 sticker on it. At Esso the trick is in the red label on the pump.

Different fuel, same confusion. We used to have a train carrying coal direct out of the ground to Drax power station about 3 miles away.  But now at tremendous cost we have ships bringing wood pellets over the Atlantic. (And then by road)

All I know is the fuel I use is about 99.9% E Zero. I'll settle for that.

OK, Stan,

I have found a picture With the red label clearly showing with the blue label clearly on the pump next to  it. I'd need to find the SD card to send it. So like you I'll take another picture on my next visit. I also have an e-mail, one of many stating that Esso has no intention of adding ethanol to its Super unleaded in the E free zones.

Now, if I were to go 28 miles North West to Ripon the Super unleaded carries a blue label           (E zone) but less than 10 miles East into Harrogate we are back in the red label zone (E0)

To Answer Philip: All Staff but this one chap who took it upon himself to be enlightened by reading the drivers paperwork don't have a clue and no training given. Putting an ethanol fire out not so simple!  Designed for complication so know your zones.

Ethanol is not a part of petrol and it is added at the distribution point where drivers are given their paper work and routes etc. If driving to an E free zone then no ethanol is added. 

Finally,I believe that some of BP Ultimate is also E0 but BP will not admit to it, saying for years now that this is an evolving situation. (The Green Image) I once did ask a BP tanker driver some time ago in Suffolk, he looked down his list and said no.(Shell V Power E5 since 2008.

Hang on for that Photo.    

BP Ultimate from the middle of England (Bedfordshire) was ethanol free two weeks ago when I bought some and tested it.

Thanks Norman, to think of the business BP are losing to keep a certain image.

BP Ultimate was always my 2nd choice.

Hello Stan,

I suggest you write to Esso.  Not all is E0 and the red label and E 5 sticker is a part of the confused state we live in. Political.

My Esso is as good as E0, I wouldn't use it otherwise. Bought some today.

Hull Road, Dunnington North Yorkshire

And: Leeds Road Tadcaster. 

Thank you Norman for confirming what I always believed.  A stupid Green image over more sales.

Stan, see any difference in the pump?...........Synergy logo not at this station.....

Interesting . I have some laboratory equipment so used that to repeat the above experiment on some Synergy plus Esso fuel bought in kent a few months ago and stored in a sealed off petrol tank.(breather closed) ,result  ,no ethanol. And the 63 year old tank has no rust. Could be just a coincidence ??.

Rather than performing experiments on the fuel, why not just put some in your tank and ride your Norton?  1959 ES2; acquired in late August 2021; off the road for four months March - July 2022. over 5,300 miles [including two winters when it was being used frequently] since purchase.  Always had E10, no fuelling issues, similar to my Commando, which hasn't travelled quite as many miles in the same period. Regular use flushes the petrol tank and brings many smiles :-)

Storage conditions can make a significant difference to water  and corrosion in the tank. My garage has all  the worst features. A cold  exposed position with prevailing westerly wind brings driving rain round  and under the door .An old structure with no damproofing or insulation brings condensation in winter. A washing machine ,drier,  water tap ,toilet and sewerage access all add to the mix. I close off the tank vent once the machine is settled .ACf 50 on exposed chrome . Ethanol is just another hazzard to be avoided if possible.

Norman made the point that there is Ultimate E0 out there.

I also know, until further notice, that the Esso I use is E0

Doubt you will find E0 at a super market.

Just remember that ethanol is only added at the distribution point. It is added to meet an agenda and certainly not for the health of your Norton.Or humanity when one thinks of the bread that could have been made from the wheat used. 

As Robert said:. Avoid Ethanol if you can.  Choices are being eroded all the time. (Not just fuel, either) 

Neil

Do you still get hardening of the petrol pipes etc, One of my bikes is run on leaded race fuel and the pipes still suffer, indicating that part of the problem isn’t solely down to ethanol.

As I live on the Somerset/Devon Dorset Borders its difficult for me to know whether the general fuel I use is unleaded but will look out for the red labels, I can definitely confirm that my old RAV 4 runs much better on super unleaded than E10.  But equally my Chainsaws and strimmers dont mind E10 in the least, nor has the fuel gone off over winter. 

Dan,

My Commando still had the original fuel pipes when I bought it in the 80's. They were a bit yellowish and hard but perfectly serviceable. I changed these for RGM's braided stainless pipes and were fine until 2006 when they developed holes all over. I now use RGM plastic pipes but  don't use ethanol. I used 4* leaded when it was available and some has been in my 16h for many years and the pet seal (Old stuff) remains perfect. (No Ethanol)

I would advise imho to test your fuel or write to Esso for your nearest E0 Supplier. 

Especially in my singles, I use Red Ex synthetic lead replacement.

For whatever reason, the lining of these just disintegrate with E10 petrol. One I had lasted a whole fortnight after being fitted. Since then, I have stuck to E5 and boring but good petrol pipes.  

Gordon,

The Braided stainless lasted fine until  the stealth ethanol attack in about 2006...Thanks Blair.

Was fine for about 20 odd years, Looked nice too.

Now RGM clear plastic, mind you, I don't use ethanol, but you know that......

BP supplies Sainsbury's, last time I looked

As noted above, at least some of BP's None E10  turns out to be E0.

Looks like E10 will be forced upon you  so that sales don't dry up, given E10 adverse comments?

Just another reason to increase sales (Less mpg) while taking old vehicles off the road even faster!  A double whammy.......