E5 super unleaded prices today
E5 super unleaded is the higher-octane petrol sold alongside standard E10. It contains no more than 5% bioethanol and is the grade recommended for vehicles not approved for E10.
Between a typically cheap forecourt and a typically dear one there is 23.0p a litre — about £12.65 on a 55-litre tank. That gap is the whole reason to check before filling up.
How super unleaded prices are spread
Every forecourt reporting E5 today, grouped into 2p bands.
Cheapest E5 super unleaded in the UK right now
| # | Forecourt | Brand | Postcode | E5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESSAR OAKHAM SERVICE STATION, OAKHAM | ESSAR OAKHAM SERVICE STATION | LE15 6AX | £1.37 |
| 2 | Stenness garage, STROMNESS | Stenness garage | KW16 3JY | £1.46 |
| 3 | ESSO, BIRMINGHAM | ESSO | B19 2XY | £1.46 |
| 4 | Texaco, Tempo | Texaco | BT94 3LU | £1.47 |
| 5 | SOLO, OMAGH | SOLO | BT78 3AJ | £1.48 |
| 6 | ESSAR PENYBANC SERVICE STATIOIN, AMMANFORD | ESSAR PENYBANC SERVICE STATIOIN | SA18 3QS | £1.50 |
| 7 | BP, Belfast | BP | BT9 5BU | £1.53 |
| 8 | Texaco, STALYBRIDGE | Texaco | SK15 3DW | £1.54 |
| 9 | Gulf, KILMARNOCK | Gulf | KA1 4EL | £1.55 |
| 10 | BP | BP | YO12 4DH | £1.55 |
These are the lowest reported prices nationally, which often means a remote or independent site. Search your postcode for what is actually worth driving to.
E5 at a glance
- Ethanol content
- Up to 5%
- Octane (RON)
- 97–99
- Availability
- Most larger forecourts
- Also called
- Super unleaded, premium petrol
Is super unleaded worth the extra cost?
It depends entirely on the engine. Cars with high compression ratios or forced induction — many performance models and some modern turbocharged engines — have ignition timing that can take advantage of higher octane, and may return slightly more power and economy. An ordinary engine tuned for 95 RON gains nothing measurable, because it cannot exploit the extra octane. Check the manufacturer handbook: if it says 95 RON, higher octane fuel will not make the car faster or more efficient.
Who should use E5 rather than E10?
E5 is the recommended grade for vehicles not approved for E10 — generally cars registered before 2002, some early-2000s models, classic vehicles, and certain motorcycles and scooters. The government committed to keeping E5 available at larger forecourts precisely so these vehicles have a fuel to use.
How much more does super unleaded cost?
The premium over standard E10 is typically 15 to 25p per litre, and it is not consistent between retailers — some price super unleaded close to standard petrol while others treat it as a margin product. Because the gap varies so widely by brand, it is worth comparing before assuming your usual forecourt is competitive on this grade.
Common questions
What is E5 super unleaded?
E5 is higher-octane unleaded petrol, typically 97 to 99 RON, containing up to 5% bioethanol. It sits alongside standard E10 at most larger forecourts.
Will super unleaded improve my fuel economy?
Only in engines designed for higher octane. If your handbook specifies 95 RON, the engine cannot make use of the extra octane and you will see no meaningful gain in economy or power.
Is E5 the same as premium diesel?
No. E5 is a petrol grade. Premium diesel is a separate higher-specification diesel product with extra detergents and a higher cetane number.
Compare other grades
Find cheap super unleaded near you
National figures tell you what to expect. Your postcode tells you what to pay.
Prices are read from the UK Government Fuel Finder scheme live. Figures on this page cover every forecourt currently reporting E5.