Frequently Asked Questions

Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced from plant materials.

E10 is the standard (95 octane) regular petrol sold at all forecourts. It contains up to 10% renewable ethanol, a low carbon fuel that can be blended to reduce the amount of fossil fuel in petrol.

The government mandated in September 2021 the switch to E10 petrol to help reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with petrol vehicles. E10 fuel is already widely used around the world. 

E5 petrol contains up to 5% ethanol by volume and E10 contains up to 10% by volume. All Esso's Synergy fuels contain additives to help clean, protect and enhance your car's engine, however Esso's Synergy Supreme+ 99 E5 fuel contains a double dose of additive. Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 contains up to 5% ethanol.

All petrol cars manufactured after 2011 can use E10. If you are unsure you can check using the government E10 compatibility checker , which covers cars, motorbikes and mopeds. If your specific vehicle is not listed, consult your manual, or contact your vehicle manufacturer. If in doubt, the government’s recommendation is to continue using E5 petrol (Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99).

Check the government's E10 compatibility checker to be sure, but it is expected that a number of older cars, classic cars and some mopeds are incompatible with E10 petrol. If in doubt use the E5 grade, Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 which is available at most sites.

Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 which is E5 is unchanged and available at most Esso service stations despite E10 being introduced.

Yes you can, Esso Synergy Supreme⁺ 99 is available at most Esso sites, please check here for availability.

Yes, E10 petrol is still available at all of our sites, and E5 Esso Synergy Supreme⁺ 99 remains available at most Esso service stations despite E10 being introduced - please check here for availability.

All fuels are clearly labelled at the pump and on the nozzle you'll see E5 or E10 clearly shown.

If your vehicle is compatible with E10 petrol it is perfectly safe to use E5 or E10 fuel, and to use a different fuel subsequently, e.g. if you use E5 on one fill and then E10 on the next.

Using a single tank of E10 petrol in a vehicle that is not compatible should not be a major problem. Just make sure you fill up with E5 petrol next time. Unlike putting petrol into a diesel engine, you shouldn’t need to drain the tank, see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e10-petrol-explained for details.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e10-petrol-explained

Some other petrol-powered equipment may not be compatible with E10 petrol including boats, petrol-powered garden equipment or machinery, such as lawnmowers and chainsaws. Owners and operators should check their manual or ask the manufacturer or dealer before using E10. If in doubt, the government’s recommendation is to continue using E5 petrol (Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99).

We currently supply an ethanol-free Synergy Supreme * 99 unleaded in some parts of the UK.
From September 2023 our Synergy Supreme * 99 will transition to contain up to a maximum of 5% ethanol at all Esso pumps irrespective of which part of the country they are located. The labelling at our pumps will remain as E5 for Synergy Supreme * 99 unleaded.

The octane rating of petrol is a measure of its resistance to knock, with higher octanes more resistant to knock. Petrol engines work by compressing air and fuel, then igniting the mixture with a spark. Certain engine conditions can cause all or part of the mixture to ignite on its own without the spark, creating what’s called “knock” in your engine. Fuels can be blended to meet different octane ratings at the refinery or fuel terminal.

The majority of today’s petrol vehicles are designed to run on regular octane fuel (95). However, using higher octane fuel than the minimum required can benefit fuel economy, power and acceleration even in vehicles calling for regular fuel. Engine design features like higher compression ratios and forced air induction (e.g. turbochargers or superchargers) can make engines more responsive to octane. The benefits achievable with higher octane depend not only on hardware design but also on the car’s calibration and the user’s driving style.

Our Synergy regular petrol has 95 octane, while our Synergy Supreme+ 99 is a 99 octane petrol.

Our Supreme⁺99 formulation actually now contains more than 2x the detergent molecules of our regular unleaded grade.  The cleaning benefits of fuels are not directly correlated with the concentration of cleaning molecules in the fuel.  Testing shows our new Esso Synergy Supreme⁺ 99 unleaded formulation helps keep your engine 3x cleaner than Esso Synergy Unleaded 95 and Esso Synergy ™ technology now also features three distinct detergent ingredients.  Esso Supreme⁺ 99 protects your engine against deposits, corrosion and wear.*

Esso Nectar is the new loyalty programme offered at participating Esso branded service stations from 1 June 2019. It enables Esso customers to collect Nectar points on fuel purchases at participating Esso branded service stations and will offer new ways to earn points and save money.

As of 1 June customers filling up at participating Esso branded service stations can collect Nectar points for every litre of fuel purchased. Customers can also earn Nectar points on products purchased in the shop and on car wash facilities at participating Esso branded service stations.

You will be able to collect Nectar points at all participating Esso branded service stations across GB, except those that have a Tesco Express shop attached. Please visit https://www.nectar.com/esso to find out which Esso branded service stations you can collect Nectar points at when fuelling.

Customers will earn one Nectar point for every litre of fuel purchased at participating Esso branded service stations across GB. To top up on points even further, you can also collect two Nectar points per £ spent in the shop and on carwash at participating Esso branded service stations. So don’t forget to scan your card at the till!

Register online now at www.nectar.com. You can collect a card at participating Esso branded service stations and start collecting points straight away. Don’t forget you will need to register your card online to access your points and get Nectar offers from Esso!

Fuel prices are set independently by Esso branded dealers, but the Nectar offer will always be the same.

Yes! At participating sites you can now swap 300 Nectar points to get 5p off per litre of fuel.

You can spend your points on all fuel products.

It only applies to the first 60 litres.

No, please check on Fuel Finder to see sites that are participating in the scheme, you’ll need to look at the Station Details to confirm if they are Nectar Redemption partners, but we are rolling out the offer out across the country, so check back soon if your local site doesn’t offer at the moment.

This offer will always be available onsite, as long as you have 300 points in your Nectar balance.

Yes!, even if you spend points your transaction will still be eligible to earn, you earn points for every litre purchased (i.e. not based on value of transaction).

The Nectar points balance will be shown at the bottom of your receipt.

You will earn Nectar points at Esso. Esso Nectar is the name of the programme we will jointly offer at participating Esso branded service stations, and what you will see us refer to in our information and marketing materials. The Esso Nectar programme will offer special deals and offers to Nectar consumers at Esso branded service stations.

Nectar provides UK consumers the opportunity to collect or spend points at hundreds of places - see www.nectar.com for details.

You can spend your Nectar points in many ways, from travel to dining, and much more. Find out where you can collect and spend Nectar points at www.nectar.com for more details.

You don’t have to have one to purchase fuel at participating Esso branded service stations, but check out the advantages of signing up at www.nectar.com. Don’t forget, if you use our Esso App, there are 500 bonus points up for grabs on your first use of the Esso App to pay for fuel once you link your Nectar card.

Yes, you are no longer able to collect Clubcard points in the Esso App. Add your Nectar card details to collect Nectar points instead.

Never miss out on Nectar points again and order a handy Nectar key tag here: https://www.nectar.com/my-nectar/manage-account/new-key-tag. Just make sure your Nectar card is registered and your address is up to date on your Nectar profile, so Nectar can send it to the right place. Simple!

1. You must present your Nectar card or Nectar key tag at the time of your purchase at participating Esso branded service stations to qualify for any Nectar points or have previously added your Nectar card details to your Esso App account. Nectar points cannot be awarded retrospectively.
2. Nectar collectors can earn 1 point per litre of Esso Synergy™ fuel or 2 points per pound spent on carwash, lubricants or shop products at participating Esso branded service stations.
3. Points collected at participating Esso branded service stations will be credited to your Nectar account by Nectar 360 Limited and included in your statement for redemption via existing Nectar redemption options.
4. Transactions using Key Fuels or UK Fuels bunker card(s) are not eligible for Nectar points.
5. Nectar points issued on all transactions are capped at 100 points for unleaded and 250 points for diesel purchases and £200 for spend in shop.
6. Restrictions may be placed on the issuance of Nectar points at participating Esso branded service stations. Esso may not issue Nectar points on transactions it considers to be above reasonable use or where it suspects fraudulent activity without any notice. Esso’s decision on these circumstances is final.
7. Esso reserves the right to cancel, terminate, suspend or change the ability to earn or spend Nectar points at Esso branded service stations without notice (including, but not limited to suspension arising out of non-availability of the App or technical failure generally or at a particular Esso branded service station). Esso shall not be responsible for any losses suffered or incurred as a direct or indirect result of the act of cancellation, termination, suspension or change in the availability of the Nectar scheme at Esso branded service stations.

1. Nectar points can be spent at participating Esso branded service stations only. Please see details of participating Esso branded service stations here. Nectar points cannot be spent at Esso branded service stations with a Tesco Express shop.
2. Nectar collectors can receive a 5 pence per litre discount on Esso Synergy™ fuel (diesel or petrol) for 300 Nectar points, with a minimum fill size of 10 litres at participating Esso branded service stations. Discount applies on the first 60 litres only. A maximum of 300 points can be exchanged for a 5 pence per litre discount in a single transaction. Nectar points cannot be spent on any other products at Esso branded service stations.
3. You must present your Nectar card or Nectar key tag at the time of your purchase at participating Esso branded service stations to receive a redemption option or have previously added your Nectar card details to your Esso App account. Nectar points cannot be spent retrospectively.
4. Transactions using Key Fuels, UK Fuels bunker card(s), Esso Card, Esso Commercial Vehicle Card, EuroShell, DKV and Allstar BP Supercharge are not eligible for the Nectar redemption option.
5. Nectar points cannot be spent on LPG purchases [or for EV charging].
6. Restrictions may be placed on the redemption of Nectar points at participating Esso branded service stations. Esso may not offer a redemption option on transactions it considers to be above reasonable use or where it suspects fraudulent activity without any notice. Esso’s decision on these circumstances is final.
7. Esso reserves the right to cancel, terminate, suspend or change the ability to earn or spend Nectar points at Esso branded service stations without notice (including, but not limited to suspension arising out of non-availability of the App or technical failure generally or at a particular Esso branded service station). Esso shall not be responsible for any losses suffered or incurred as a direct or indirect result of the act of cancellation, termination, suspension or change in the availability of the Nectar scheme at Esso branded service stations.

Once you have downloaded the app, you need to register, confirm your payment method and add your Nectar card number (if you have one). The app is then ready to use. Just drive up to the pump, and from within your vehicle, open the Esso app. Then simply select your pump number, approve the payment, get out and start fuelling. Once you replace the nozzle, the payment is taken automatically, so you don’t need to go inside to pay. Your receipt will be stored in the app and can be sent via email to you (an optional setting). This will show the amount you have been charged and any Nectar points you’ve earned.

You can use the “Find Esso Stations” option at the bottom of the app home screen to find your closest mobile-enabled site or check the Esso website. You will need to give permission for the app to access your location so it can search for sites near you and provide driving directions. The app is being rolled out to new sites all the time, so check there to see your nearest site.

Yes, but only for mobile payments. Please use the Esso App when you are inside your vehicle and parked at the pump and do not use your phone when you are dispensing fuel or walking on the forecourt, as this could be distracting.

Setting up the app is simple and should only take you a couple of minutes. Download the app from the app store, provide a few details and set up Apple Pay or PayPal if you haven’t already. It is then possible to use the app straight away, but we recommend completing the registration process before you travel to an Esso site.

We recommend that you either leave your phone in the vehicle or put it in your pocket or bag. Please do not use your phone whilst you are dispensing fuel as this could be distracting.

The app needs a 3G, 4G or Wifi signal. If you don’t have a good signal, then please pay with a card or cash in the shop.

When you return the nozzle after fuelling, the till system in the shop connects to the cloud server and confirms the amount of fuel dispensed and the value of the transaction. When you check your phone, you’ll see a transaction confirmation screen which has matching values to what you see on the pump so you know the right amount has been taken.

If you realize you’ve made a wrong selection before you start fuelling, just tap on cancel in the app and you can then start over. If you authorise someone else’s pump and they have started fuelling then please advise the site staff immediately. Please carefully check your pump number is correct before using TouchID or a passcode to authorise the payment.

When you first register with the app and each time before you fuel you can set an amount to be reserved in your account which should be the maximum value you want to spend. This will reserve funds from your account according to the value you select, which can be between £5 and £140. You don’t have to dispense the exact value of fuel you selected, but you cannot dispense more than the selected amount. The pump may slow down or stop as you approach the amount you selected (£1 or £2 before, depending on the pump type). You will only be charged for the amount of fuel you actually take.

Yes, you can use the app while parked at the pump. Please place your phone in your pocket and do not use it whilst you are fuelling.

Not yet, but we will be rolling out additional services for the app in the future.

You may have noticed a square type of barcode near the pump – this is called a QR code. If you have given the app permission to use location services during the registration process, then you shouldn’t need to scan this QR code. When you arrive at a participating Esso branded service station, the app will locate you and you can simply select your pump number. If your location cannot be identified because you haven’t provided location permission or there is interference, then the app will direct you to scan the QR code with your phone’s camera. You do not need to have a separate QR code reader app.

a) At Esso branded service stations with a Tesco Express shop you’ll collect one Clubcard point for every £3 spent on petrol or diesel. You can claim Clubcard points on the first 100 litres of each fuel purchased. For car washes or any other in-store purchases, collect 1 point for every £1 you spend. Sorry you can't collect points on tobacco or tobacco related products, lottery, stamps, prescription medicines, infant formulae milk, Tesco gift cards, 3rd party gift cards, saving stamps, in-store concessions, Paypoint payments or for purchases of some Tesco Bank products.

b) Bonus points
From time-to-time Esso may run promotions granting additional points. Further details will be available when a promotion is running.

Yes, all Esso branded service stations that have a Tesco Express shop attached now accept Clubcard vouchers towards payment for fuel or shop purchases. Both paper vouchers and digital vouchers on the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app are accepted – just present them before you pay.
In particular, the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app is a great way to see your Clubcard points balance and turn them into Faster Vouchers which can then be used within 24 hours.
Terms apply and certain shop products are excluded. See https://secure.tesco.com/clubcard/help/terms-and-conditions for more details.

Esso works in partnership with Tesco at nearly 200 stores and this means you can collect Clubcard points and use Clubcard vouchers at any Esso branded service stations with a Tesco Express shop. To find your nearest Esso branded service station with a Tesco Express shop please visit Esso Fuel Finder.

Please visit the Tesco Clubcard registration page of Tesco’s website.

Visit https://www.tesco.com/help/contact/ or call the Tesco Clubcard helpline (0800 591688) open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm , Saturday 9am to 6pm (closed Sundays).

You don't have to shop at Tesco to use Clubcard points. There are over 100 Reward Partners you can exchange your points for other than Tesco shopping, including your Clubcard vouchers at Esso in order to secure a fuel discount. Both paper vouchers and digital vouchers on the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app are accepted – just present them when you pay.

Yes, at Esso branded service stations with a Tesco Express shop, you’ll collect one Clubcard point for every £3 spent on petrol or diesel. You can claim Clubcard points on the first 100 litres of each fuel purchase.

Clubcard points awarded will be shown on your receipt at the time of purchase. Your quarterly Tesco Clubcard statement (issued four times a year by Tesco Clubcard, usually in February, May, August and November) will show you the number of points awarded at Esso branded service stations under the Tesco Clubcard points summary detail. You can also visit 'My Tesco Clubcard Account' to see transaction details.

Yes, the Tesco Grocery & Clubcard App has a digital copy of your Clubcard which can be scanned at the till at any Esso branded service station with a Tesco Express shop. It also carries digital Clubcard vouchers which are now accepted towards payment for fuel or shop purchases when paying in store.

No.

Where payment has been made using two means of payment (e.g. using a fuel card for fuel and then cash/credit card for store items) the customer should ask for the Tesco Clubcard to be processed before each part of the separate payments (certain products are excluded. See terms and conditions for details).

Customers must present their Tesco Clubcard at the time of purchase. Unfortunately, it is not possible to credit Clubcard points retrospectively.

Esso restricts the frequency with which a Tesco Clubcard may be used at Esso branded service stations and the maximum number of points per fuel or shop purchase to help prevent fraud. Any promotional or bonus points issued will not count towards these limits.

Clubcard points earned at Esso branded service stations with a Tesco Express shop should typically appear on Tesco Clubcard accounts by midday the following working day.

On your Tesco Clubcard quarterly statement, points from Esso fuel are shown in the section that breaks down your points earned at Tesco and with other partners. However, if you look at a transaction level, they appear like a normal Tesco spend, but will usually have ‘Express’ in the name of the location where the points were earned.

From time to time Esso may run promotions using barcodes on coupons. Coupons may be distributed by being sent to customers, for example, in the Tesco Clubcard quarterly voucher statement or printed on customer receipts to be used on a subsequent visit.

The Tesco Clubcard operation is managed by Tesco Clubcard. Any queries regarding your Tesco Clubcard should be directed to Tesco Clubcard - the contact details are on the reverse of your Tesco Clubcard. You can contact the Tesco Clubcard helpline (0800 59 16 88) open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm (closed Sundays) or via https://www.tesco.com/help/contact/

Tesco Clubcard points will be issued on payments by cash, credit card, debit card, and fuel cards accepted at Esso branded service stations with a Tesco Express shop (Esso Card, Allstar, Shell Europe, BP Plus, Fuel Genie and Key Fuels cards).