European biofuels labelling - FAQs

New EU legislation requires that all countries across Europe change to standardised biofuels labelling formats which match the new labels appearing on new vehicles to help make choosing the right fuel as simple as possible for consumers.

 

These labels are being introduced on fuel dispensers and nozzles at all service stations and on new vehicles across Europe. New vehicles will have the label close to the fuel filler cap and in the handbook, so you can match the label on the vehicle to the fuels available at the forecourt.

Different symbols are used for each fuel type on the forecourt, so that they are easy to identify.

No. You can continue to fill up with whichever petrol or diesel fuel you were using before. The new labels are just an extra tool to help you make sure you choose the right fuel for your vehicle now and in the future.

It’s the same unleaded petrol that you’re currently using. Petrol in the UK already contains up to 5% bioethanol and has done for more than 10 years. Both BP regular unleaded petrol and BP Ultimate unleaded petrol are now also labelled as E5.

It’s the same diesel fuel that you’re currently using. Diesel fuel in the UK already contains up to 7% biodiesel and has done for more than 10 years. Both BP regular diesel and BP Ultimate Diesel are now also labelled as B7.

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.

Yes. Vehicles that have the E10 label can use petrol containing up to 10% bioethanol and they can also use petrol that contains up to 5% bioethanol. Both BP Ultimate unleaded and BP regular unleaded may contain up to 5% bioethanol so are fine to use in your vehicle.

Yes. All vehicles that can use current diesel fuel can safely use BP Ultimate Diesel or BP regular diesel. B7 labels are appearing on new diesel vehicles but some older cars may have a label saying ‘no biodiesel’ by the fuel filler cap. This only refers to diesel fuel containing much higher proportions of biodiesel (i.e. more than 7%). 

 

However, if you are still unsure or concerned, we recommend you check with your dealer or the vehicle manufacturer.

Renewable fuels (which include biofuels such as bioethanol or biodiesel) are substitutes for conventional oil-based fossil fuels. They are made from renewable sources such as sustainable energy crops or waste materials from agriculture and food processing. Partly replacing fossil fuels with renewable fuels helps lower overall carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and meet climate change targets.Renewable fuels reduce CO₂ because the biomass used to make them absorbs CO₂ as it grows. This offsets the CO₂ produced when the fuel is used by the vehicle.

Biofuels have been added to fuels in the UK for over 10 years. That’s because they reduce the carbon emissions from the millions of vehicles already on the roads - with no additional effort required by motorists - and our reliance on fossil fuels. 

 

In 2018, using renewable fuels in road fuels in the UK reduced overall CO₂ emissions by around 2.7 million tonnes; that’s the equivalent of taking more than a million cars off the road.

All renewable fuels must pass strict sustainability tests to ensure they are helping reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and not harming the environment. In addition, the amount of food crops that can be used is capped and there are extra incentives for fuels produced from waste.