It's a year since anyone posted here, but I bought 20 litres of Esso 97 Octane "Synergy" Premium Unleaded today. Just as I was finishing-up, I saw the recently-introduced stickers on the fuel-pumps - and on mine it had an E5 sticker. Several people heard my yell of expletives on the forecourt!
So when I got home, after searching-out Esso Customer-Service phone numbers, I spent 15 minutes talking to people who didn't know what I was talking about - but eventually was given 0207 136 1798 and found a very helpful "Fuel Tech Team". It turns out that the E5 sticker on the pump is correct and meets EU Directives. It means that there is
not more than 5% Ethanol in the fuel. So I asked how much there
really is in the "Synergy" and the answer was immediate: There is none at all (i.e. zero - which is less than 5%
) and there are no plans to change that. So I asked why not use an 'E0' sticker on the pump? Answer - that wouldn't comply with EU regulations!!
(Next time I'm at my local Esso I'll be taking my felt-tip marker-pen and correcting the nonsense!).
Meanwhile, as reported before, it was confirmed that in certain areas of Cornwall, Devon and Teeside upto 5% Ethanol
is added to the "Synergy".
So there you have it - but don't stay complacent too long - it likely won't last.....
Peter B