Motorists have been told to avoid filling up at supermarket petrol stations such as Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, and Tesco. Allied Autocare has issued an urgent alert to drivers, cautioning that fuel from these supermarkets could “cost more in the long run” due to lower quality.
Amidst the current Cost of Living crisis, they pointed out: “Fuel from branded retailers tends to come with a higher price tag to that of supermarkets. Their fuel is portrayed to have a higher quality and be better for your car’s engine.”
They added: “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.
“This concoction of additives can improve fuel efficiency and help keep your car engine clean. It could be a case of getting what you pay for.”
Right Fuel Card also chimed in, saying: “Supermarket fuel also contains these additives, but likely in lesser quantities than their branded counterparts.”, reports Birmingham Live.
They further explained: “Additionally, the alternative fuel option, commonly known as ‘super-unleaded fuel,’ is better quality than standard unleaded. However, this difference with superior-quality fuel is primarily felt with high-performance vehicles, like sports cars.”
Following research that revealed nearly four fifths (78%) of households with a car or van now have a big four supermarket filling station within easy reach. The RAC Foundation’s analysis shows that out of the 19.6 million homes in the UK with access to a car or van, 15.2 million are located within three miles (as the crow flies) of at least one Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda or Morrisons fuel forecourt.
When this radius is extended to five miles, the figure increases to 17.3 million (88%). Current data from Experian Catalyst and the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independent forecourt owners, indicates there are presently 8,394 filling stations in the UK.