Everything you need to know about new petrol station labels
The Department for Transport (DfT) has rolled out a new set of labels at fuel stations across the UK, with the new information to ensure you choose the right fuel for your vehicle.
While the fuel is exactly the same as before and they’re still distinguished by green and black hoses, petrol is now labelled E5 and diesel is labelled B7. Now some people might find that this has confused matters, rather than made them simpler. Here;s all you need to know.
What do the labels mean?
With petrol now labelled E5 and diesel B7, the letter and number simply tell you the type and maximum percentage of renewable fuel it contains.
Other than that, the fuel remains the same.
Where will I see the new labels?
It was mandatory for the rollout of the new labels to be completed by 1 September, so you should see them on fuel nozzles at all petrol stations going forward.
From April 2020 all new vehicles will also have the new labels so you can match the label on the pump with the label on your fuel cap.
My vehicle has an E10 petrol sticker. Can I use E5 petrol?
Yes, it is safe to use E5 petrol, most vehicles produced since 2000 have been approved to run on E10 as well as E5 petrol.
E10 is not yet available in the UK, but with 10% ethanol it could be available in the future to help further reduce the overall CO2 emissions of petrol vehicles and meet climate change targets.
My vehicle has a sticker saying ‘No Biodiesel’. Is it OK to use B7 diesel?
Yes, B7 diesel can be used by all diesel vehicles. The fuel has not changed.
The DfT say some cars have a sticker saying 'no biodiesel' near the fuel filler cap but this is to stop the use of very high biodiesel blends. As B7 has only 7% biodiesel it is safe to use.
Why is renewable fuel added?
Renewable fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol help reduce CO2 emissions so the UK can meet climate change targets.
Ethanol and biodiesel have been blended into UK petrol and diesel fuel for over 10 years. Last year, it helped reduce CO2 emissions by the equivalent of taking over one million cars off the road.
