Ethanol test for pump petrol - Page 4

Darkness · 01-11-2020, 09:38 AM

The Esso website still says:

‘The majority of unleaded 95 Octane petrol sold in the UK contains up to 5% ethanol as required under the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO).

There is currently no requirement for renewable fuel (such as ethanol) to be present in super unleaded (97 and 99 grade petrol).

Esso super unleaded petrol (Synergy Supreme+ Unleaded 97 and Synergy Supreme+ 99 ) is ethanol free (except in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area and Scotland). We would therefore advise anyone who has concerns about the presence of ethanol in petrol to use Synergy Supreme+ – providing they do not fill up in Devon or Cornwall, the Teesside area or Scotland. The European standard BS EN228 covers the requirements for 0-5% ethanol unleaded petrol, the labelling requirement for zero % ethanol is E5 (as is up to 5%), a E0 label doesn’t exist. We understand that this is confusing if you are looking for zero % ethanol fuel, but as advised we can confirm that our Supreme Unleaded fuel supplied in areas except those listed (Devon, Cornwall, Teeside & Scotland) is ethanol free.’

https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels-faqs

As they say, there is no E0 classification, so ethanol free is labelled as having less than 5%.

TimM900 · 05-11-2020, 06:27 PM

Who else has tried testing their petrol? Out of curiosity I got a measuring cylinder a couple of weeks ago and have tried a few, just for standard unleaded. Interestingly, none are as high as 5% yet, so far both Jet and BP have been 3-4% while Tesco measured 1-2%.

Luddite · 05-11-2020, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimM900

Who else has tried testing their petrol? Out of curiosity I got a measuring cylinder a couple of weeks ago and have tried a few, just for standard unleaded. Interestingly, none are as high as 5% yet, so far both Jet and BP have been 3-4% while Tesco measured 1-2%.

For piece of mind, I regularly check a sample of Esso's Synergy Supreme+ and, so far, It's always been completely ethanol-free. As a control, to ensure my testing method worked, I've also checked Esso's regular unleaded, which contained about 4.5% ethanol. I know which one will be in my tank over winter!

Luddite · 31-07-2021, 03:37 PM

From http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=59386

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkness

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawsue

Don’t want to hijack an interesting thread, but topping up my 1959 Matchless G80 yesterday at my local Esso station I noticed the pumps had been re badged, normal Esso 95 ron. now contains 10% ethanol, Esso supreme, 5%....I honestly didnt perceive any difference in performance....although with an old British thumper it’s difficult to use the word “performance “ in any meaningful discussion.

Has anyone enquired whether it actually contains 10% ethanol, or less than 10%?

I thought e10 was being rolled out in September, so they may be getting the pumps ready for it.

It's actually been legal to supply fuel with a maximum 10% ethanol content since 2011 but, until now, none of the oil companies has offered this as an option.

The latest draft legislation will place a statutory requirement on the oil companies to provide E10, (with a minimum ethanol content of 5.5%), from 1 September. E10 will then become the 'standard grade' with E5 being the alternative 'protection grade'.

I checked what the present position was with the major suppliers and this is how they replied via email...

Esso said:

"The transition to E10 unleaded petrol will gradually take place during August. Some Service Stations might adapt sooner, so please look for the E10 sticker on fuel pumps and for exact dates please ask your local Service Station.

BP:

"E10 is a grade of petrol that may contain up to 10% bioethanol. It is already sold in parts of Europe as well as the USA and Australia but not in the UK yet. Most vehicles produced since 2000 are able to run on E10 petrol. Vehicles that can run on E10 can also run on E5 petrol and, for new vehicles, will typically have both labels by the fuel filler cap.

E10 could be available in the UK in the future as a way of helping to reduce the carbon emissions from petrol vehicles and meet climate change targets."

Texaco:

"You are correct in saying that the E10 grade will be available in our service stations on the 1st September."

Shell didn't have a contact email so a quick call to their customer service revealed that they are not supplying any E10 at the moment and aren't announcing any specific roll-out date but are in consultation with the DoT.

My guess, from that, is that they're just waiting to see if the draft legislation goes through without amendment. Assuming it does, then they'll have to provide E10 from 1 September whether they like it or not.

Don't forget that Esso Synergy Supreme+ will continue to be ethanol-free as now in those areas that currently have it.

TimM900 · 31-07-2021, 06:02 PM

I wonder where they are going to get all the bioethanol from? I haven't noticed a sudden change of farm crop production anywhere

Luddite · 18-01-2023, 09:56 PM

(Thought I'd update the thread with this information from Nasher's swollen tank saga.)

You'll be pleased to know that I checked 100ml of Esso Synergy Supreme+ purchased earlier tonight at the local service station and found absolutely zero ethanol in the sample.

So, at present, it seems that Esso are the only supplier you can consistently rely on to offer ethanol-free fuel, (apologies if you live in one of the Esso 'dead spots'!).

I would certainly recommend using Synergy Supreme+ to everyone, not just to those of us with plastic tanks. It may be more expensive per litre but, in addition to the 'health benefits', there has been some evidence in recent magazine articles suggesting that, because it contains more energy per cc than an ethanol blend, you actually need less fuel for any given distance, making it cheaper per mile than E10.

jerry · 24-01-2023, 08:13 PM

My experience in Thailand on the S4 is that when Pure benzine 95 not available and i have to use the 10% gasohol 95 i lose 10% power and 5% mileage its very noticable and that does not include all the other risks of gasohol , luckily the S4 has steel tank but when I dont use the bike for a few months I either empty tank or fill it with pure unadulterated lovely pure 95 benzine

01-11-2020, 09:38 AM	#1
Darkness . Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stockbridge Bike: M900 Posts: 1,984	The Esso website still says: ‘The majority of unleaded 95 Octane petrol sold in the UK contains up to 5% ethanol as required under the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO). There is currently no requirement for renewable fuel (such as ethanol) to be present in super unleaded (97 and 99 grade petrol). Esso super unleaded petrol (Synergy Supreme+ Unleaded 97 and Synergy Supreme+ 99 ) is ethanol free (except in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area and Scotland). We would therefore advise anyone who has concerns about the presence of ethanol in petrol to use Synergy Supreme+ – providing they do not fill up in Devon or Cornwall, the Teesside area or Scotland. The European standard BS EN228 covers the requirements for 0-5% ethanol unleaded petrol, the labelling requirement for zero % ethanol is E5 (as is up to 5%), a E0 label doesn’t exist. We understand that this is confusing if you are looking for zero % ethanol fuel, but as advised we can confirm that our Supreme Unleaded fuel supplied in areas except those listed (Devon, Cornwall, Teeside & Scotland) is ethanol free.’ https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels-faqs As they say, there is no E0 classification, so ethanol free is labelled as having less than 5%. __________________ Original and Best since 1993

24-01-2023, 08:13 PM	#7
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,826	My experience in Thailand on the S4 is that when Pure benzine 95 not available and i have to use the 10% gasohol 95 i lose 10% power and 5% mileage its very noticable and that does not include all the other risks of gasohol , luckily the S4 has steel tank but when I dont use the bike for a few months I either empty tank or fill it with pure unadulterated lovely pure 95 benzine __________________ MONSTERMAN

05-11-2020, 06:27 PM	#2
TimM900 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Norwich Bike: M900 Posts: 48	Who else has tried testing their petrol? Out of curiosity I got a measuring cylinder a couple of weeks ago and have tried a few, just for standard unleaded. Interestingly, none are as high as 5% yet, so far both Jet and BP have been 3-4% while Tesco measured 1-2%.

31-07-2021, 06:02 PM	#5
TimM900 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Norwich Bike: M900 Posts: 48	I wonder where they are going to get all the bioethanol from? I haven't noticed a sudden change of farm crop production anywhere

18-01-2023, 09:56 PM	#6
Luddite Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southampton Bike: M1100evo Posts: 2,465	(Thought I'd update the thread with this information from Nasher's swollen tank saga.) You'll be pleased to know that I checked 100ml of Esso Synergy Supreme+ purchased earlier tonight at the local service station and found absolutely zero ethanol in the sample. So, at present, it seems that Esso are the only supplier you can consistently rely on to offer ethanol-free fuel, (apologies if you live in one of the Esso 'dead spots'!). I would certainly recommend using Synergy Supreme+ to everyone, not just to those of us with plastic tanks. It may be more expensive per litre but, in addition to the 'health benefits', there has been some evidence in recent magazine articles suggesting that, because it contains more energy per cc than an ethanol blend, you actually need less fuel for any given distance, making it cheaper per mile than E10.