What is the new fuel labeling?
Since October 12, 2018, a new, single, harmonized set of fuel labels has been in place across the 28 Member States of the European Union, the EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), as well as Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland, and Turkey, with the aim of helping consumers select the most appropriate fuel for their vehicle.
How can we identify the fuel we need to refuel?
The label used for gasoline is a circle (where the "E" designates the specific biocomponents present in gasoline); while the one used for diesel is a square (where the "B" designates the specific biodiesel components present in diesel, and "XTL" stands for synthetic diesel, meaning diesel not derived from crude oil). For natural gas vehicles, the label represents a diamond.
How do the new labels work?
The label is a visual tool to help consumers verify that they have correctly selected the appropriate fuel for their vehicle.
Why are they important to consumers?
The new labels standardize fuel nomenclature across the EU and therefore improve the information consumers receive about vehicles, both those they own and any other they drive within the EU, without needing to understand the language.
Where will we see these labels?
The labels must be placed on new vehicles registered from October 12, 2018, on the fuel cap and in the vehicle manual specifications. They will also be displayed clearly and visibly on gasoline, diesel, hydrogen (H2), compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas pumps at publicly accessible service stations in all European Union countries.
What about vehicles registered before October 12, 2018?
Vehicle manufacturers do not recommend placing the labels on vehicles before this date. Drivers of these vehicles can continue to refuel safely, and if they need further advice, they are recommended to consult their local dealer.
Do they replace the commercial nomenclatures present at gas stations?
No, these labels do not replace brand names. They serve as a complement to existing ones, with the sole purpose of providing consumers with as much information as possible.
What should I refuel now?
Don't panic. When it comes to the question of which hose we should grab when we get to the gas station, the answer is much simpler than it seems.
- If you normally use 95 gasoline you will have to refuel with E5
- If you normally use 98 gasoline you will have to refuel with E10
- If you normally use bifuel, you can refuel with E85, just like now.
- If you normally use diesel, you can choose between refueling with B7 or B10.
In reality, the difference between E5 and E10 refers to the percentage of ethanol in their composition, but it has no direct relationship with octane rating. In chemical terms, these concepts are not equivalent, but in practice, in the daily life of drivers who go to refuel, they could be comparable. Obviously, consumers could encounter E5 95, E5 98, E10 95, and E10 98, but this would entail excessive segmentation for gas stations, which would need to make the corresponding investments.
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