User:Coolguy22468/Fuel grades in the United Kingdom

Fuel grades in the United Kingdom are the standards of fuel in the United Kingdom. The majority of automobiles in the United Kingdom run on Gasoline which is known in the United Kingdom as Petrol.

Common fuels

Petrol

Gasoline in the United Kingdom is known as Petrol. Petrol sold in the United Kingdom is sold under the Unleaded name with the pump coloured green. The grade of petrol sold in the United Kingdom is determined by it's Research Octane Number (RON).

Premium Unleaded

Premium unleaded is the most common type of fuel sold in the United Kingdom with an RON number of 95. Since September 2021 in Great Britain and November 2022 in Northern Ireland Premium Unleaded has been required to be the E10 standard containing 10% ethanol blend. Premium Unleaded was introduced in June 1986.

Super Unleaded

Super Unleaded was first introduced in March 1989 by BP under the brandname Super Green. Super Unleaded has a minimum RON of 97. Super Unleaded in the United Kingdom is E5 containing 5% ethanol blend.

Diesel

Diesel sold in the United Kingdom is dispensed from a black coloured nozzle.

Regular Diesel

Diesel sold in the United Kingdom is required to meet the EN590 standards with a cetane number of 51. Diesel sold in the United Kingdom is to the B7 standard allowing a 7% Bio-Diesel content.

Premium Diesel

Several outlets in the United Kingdom offer premium diesel which is sold under various brands.

Less common fuels

Autogas

Autogas was introduce in the United Kingdom in 1986 and is available at around 1500 filling stations. Autogas sold in the United Kingdom for road use is regulated by EN 589.

E85

E85 was launched in the United Kingdom in 2006 with Morrisons in Norwich the first to stock the fuel. However sales were low and it was mostly withdrawn from the market. E85 is only available at a small number of outlets in the United Kingdom. E85 sold in the United Kingdom is to CEN/TS 15293 standards.

Previous fuels

Star Rating

The star rating for fuel was introduced in March 1967 with the British Standard BS4040 to signify the octane rating of fuel. BS4040 fuels contained the anti-knock agent Tetraethyllead and were banned on January 1 2000.

• Two Star, had an RON number of 90. Two star was phased out from 1986 and replaced by Unleaded.
• Three Star, had an RON of 94 although was somewhat rare.
• Four Star, had a RON of 97. Was largely removed from the forecourts in 2000 in response to the ban on leaded petrol. It was replaced by Lead Replacement Petrol although Leaded Four Star is still available at a small number of licenced outlets for use in classic cars. Four Star pumps are coloured red.
• Five Star, was the highest grade and had a RON of 100.

Lead Replacement Petrol

Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP) was introduced from October 1999 in response to the upcoming ban on leaded in January 2000. LRP was a direct replacement for the previous Four Star leaded petrol incorporating additives to prevent valve seat wear. LRP was often sold as "Four Star" petrol. Lead Replacement Petrol had a RON number of 97. Lead Replacement Petrol was largely withdrawn from the forecourts in 2003 in response to falling demand. LRP Fuel pumps were coloured red.