Why is supermarket petrol cheaper

For the big four supermarkets it is not clear that either of these things is true. The consumer has become permanently price conscious and may continue to shop around for groceries regardless of where petrol is cheapest. And few believe the big four are really capable of growing market share significantly in the foreseeable future — the deluge of the discounters like Aldi and Lidl is still in full flow. The other effect beyond the grocery sector is on other petrol retailers, who will lose business to the supermarkets.

The last 20 years have already seen a massacre of independent petrol stations with more than 5, closing down since the turn of the century.

Oddly, just as the supermarkets are on the defensive they may yet deliver a final nasty bite to smaller rivals. A cornered beast Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate argues the latest six-month delay is a boost to its chances of expansion. He is right and that says it all.

Everyone, clearly including Wingate, believed that until last week Heathrow was way out ahead. The Government has now said that Gatwick is still a real option — but it obviously means a step backward from a real decision. Make no mistake, the Government has ducked a decision for political reasons.

British business deserves better. Some links in this article may be affiliate links. Petrol prices. UK drivers told to shop around as petrol prices head to new highs. Zoe Wood. Sat 23 Oct A blend of non-aromatic, aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons makes up base unleaded fuel, known in the industry as BOB blendstock for oxygenate blending.

Hydrocarbons can also be used to alter the octane rating of petrol for instance, increasing it for super unleaded products. Aside from performance additives, which help increase engine longevity, operation additives are also added to all unleaded fuel. These include antioxidants, which ensure the fuel reaches your local forecourt from the refinery as intended. Our rigorous independent emission tests are tougher than the official tests.

Essentially this means the super-unleaded fuel can be compressed more in an engine without prematurely igniting. Jason Lloyd, managing director at PetrolPrices. With fuel, unlike cornflakes, we can try to get a definite answer by measuring any difference in fuel economy and engine wear. Yet results from these tests are often inconclusive.

Some tests suggest premium fuel can improve economy by up to four or five miles per gallon. But this is not the case for more occasional drivers, while other tests have found the difference in economy to be negligible.

However, there may be other reasons to opt for branded fuel. This fuel releases more energy when it ignites, so will be useful to make the most of a quality engine.

All fuel sold on UK forecourts has to adhere to minimum quality standards. If you do want to opt for branded fuel, there are ways to get this cheaper. Alternatively, fleet managers can take advantage of fuel cards to save money on branded fuel.

Since hybrid vehicles arrived on our roads, motorists have wondered why they always seem to be paired with a petrol burning engine instead of diesel.