So why is supermarket fuel cheaper? Supermarket fuels are cheaper as their forecourts sell such vast quantities and operating costs are therefore spread over higher volumes. These savings are then passed onto our customers.
Every petrol station uses a standard 'base' fuel, with many of the supermarket and big name fuel brands coming from the same refineries. The only big difference is that different petrol retailers use different additives in their fuel before it ends up in your tank.
A service station with no local competition can obviously charge more than one that has to compete for your business. The presence of independent retailers in an area will also usually drive down prices, as independents tend to have more flexible pricing models and tend to charge less.
Retailers like BP, Shell and Esso sometimes put additives into their fuel to help boost the fuel efficiency of your car. This means that fuel from supermarkets, without these additives, could be costing you more in the long run.
Even if your car is cleared to run on the new E10 fuel, you may choose to run it on super-unleaded anyway. Super-unleaded should prove slightly more economical, so you'll be able to get more miles out of a tank of fuel, and some are said to clean and maintain the internals of your engine.
Some drivers swear that using a higher-octane fuel is better for a car's performance, but it's not. Engine computers can usually adjust their timing to account for the increased octane levels, so if you put premium gas in a regular car, you probably won't notice anything.
Putting Premium Fuel in a Car That Doesn't Require it
Though you might assume that this sort of mistake could cause major issues, it's quite the opposite. If you accidentally put premium fuel into your regular gas car, nothing significant will happen.
FUEL FACT: The base fuel is the same for all companies. In fact, it usually comes from the same tanks at the local fuel refinery or distribution centre. What varies is the additives package that goes into the fuel.
In the UK, there is a persistent myth that the fuel bought from supermarkets is inefficient and bad for your engine. However, it's not exactly clear how or why this story has been perpetuated. Supermarket fuel conforms to the British Standard, the same as the fuels from all major oil companies.
Higher-end vehicles are designed for higher-octane fuel. Ethanol is a kind of alcohol, usually made from corn, that's used as fuel. Unleaded 87, 89 and 91 are up to 10% ethanol. Unleaded 88 is 15% ethanol, which is why it's cheaper.
Premium, 98 Unleaded Petrol
Otherwise known as Ultra-Premium by some brands, 98 is the highest-octane fuel currently available in Australia. Unleaded 98 provides higher engine power and overall performance in comparison to 91 and 95. It is also responsible for less pollution, according to providers.
Unleaded Fuel
Ampol Bio E10 Unleaded Petrol is a high-quality unleaded petrol formulated with up to 10% ethanol. It meets the requirements of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.
The fuel you find in supermarkets has the same regulations as premium sellers. And they're held to the same quality and safety standards. So, although it's cheaper, you can be reassured that you aren't purchasing a harmful or unsafe product.
Premium unleaded 95 petrol (PULP 95) is a type of unleaded fuel that is designed to be more fuel efficient and cause a smoother engine operation, which in turn improves performance. It is meant for use by imported and high-performance vehicles, but can be used by the majority of cars.
Shell's tests have shown that these deposits rob both an engine's performance and its efficiency, which is why all drivers can benefit from using Shell V-Power, whether they own a fast car or something more focused on practicality and fuel economy.
Regular servicing and fresh oil are more important than fuel type. "If you have a high-performance car, and you want to keep your engine in tip-top condition for the long run, then premium fuel is probably worth it," says Keith.
Ethanol can swell up certain rubbers and plastics, as well as corroding metal. It can also dissolve lubricant layers between parts, increasing wear. In older cars, with rubber lines, the rubber may swell using E10 fuel.
Around 90% of what Australian refineries use to convert crude oil into petrol, diesel, LPG and other fuels is imported. So, we get most of our fuel from Asia, with around a quarter of it coming from Singapore.
Coles Express is an Australian chain of convenience stores at Shell Australia petrol stations, and is owned by Viva Energy since May 2023. Prior to that, Coles Express was the trading name of Eureka Operations Pty Ltd, subsidiary of Coles Group.
Australia relies on imports - about 90 per cent - for the majority of its petrol supply. We do produce some crude oil domestically - about 350 barrels per day - however, the majority of this is exported. Most of our imported petrol comes from Asia, with around 25 per cent of it coming from Singapore.
Yes, drivers can mix the two types of fuel. The combined gas types will result in an octane level somewhere in the middle — something the vehicle “will survive,” according to The Drive.
Can you mix unleaded and superunleaded? Yes. All current cars are designed to run on standard 95 octane unleaded (even high-performance cars) but will run equally well – if not better – on the higher octane superunleaded, which has an octane rating of 97 or above.
Remember, the golden rule is to use the recommended octane as a minimum. While it's always tempting to save money, if your car requires 95 octane, you must not use 91. Check your car's manual, or the inside petrol flap, for guidance on which fuel is best for your vehicle or fleet.