Fuel Types

All fuel sold in WA must comply with State and Commonwealth fuel quality specifications. 

The WA State Government implementation of the Environmental Protection (Diesel and Petrol) Regulations 1999 ensured WA had the cleanest fuel in Australia. Stringent restrictions on the number of carcinogens and pollutants in vehicle exhaust emissions created better environmental and health conditions for West Australians.  Since then, new Federal standards and specifications have been introduced to make a healthier environment for all Australians.

Most of the refined fuel products sold at Western Australian petrol stations are produced at the BP Kwinana Refinery, located just south of Perth.  Occasionally, some products may also be imported from overseas.  For crude oil, however, almost 70 percent is imported. Oil supplied from Australian oil fields to domestic refineries accounts for around 30 percent of crude supplies.

PETROL

Unleaded Petrol (ULP)

ULP is the most common fuel type in Australia for passenger vehicles.  Regular unleaded petrol was introduced in 1985 in anticipation of new Australian Design Rules initiated by the Federal Government to reduce Australia's air pollution. Central to the new design rules was the requirement for all vehicles to be fitted with a catalytic converter.

ULP was produced to allow the new vehicles to operate with the catalytic converter.   Most vehicles built or imported since 1986 and a number of pre-1986 vehicles have been fitted with catalytic technology.   If your car is a pre-1986 vehicle and you are not sure if it can run on ULP, check with your manufacturer first before using ULP.

ULP has a Research Octane Number (RON) of between 91 and 93.

Premium Unleaded Petrol (PULP)

PULP is a special blend of petrol designed to bring high octane, and hence high engine power, as well as knock- free performance to unleaded cars with a high-octane requirement.   Most petrol companies have a specially named version of PULP (for example Caltex Vortex).

PULP has a Research Octane Number (RON) of 95.

98 RON

98 RON has a Research Octane Number (RON) of 98.  It is a high-octane unleaded fuel that maximizes engine power and performance, as well as producing less pollution.  It is more commonly used by imported and high performance vehicles.  Most petrol companies have a specially named version of 98RON (for example BP Ultimate).

98 RON is promoted as providing excellent fuel economy.  It has low levels of benzene, sulphur and lower aromatics and a sulphur content which is 10 times lower than the national standard for unleaded fuels.  

Ethanol

Ethanol is made from natural renewable sources and can be blended with petroleum based unleaded fuels. For more information about ethanol, visit the WA Agriculture and Food's biofuels website. Currently, no ethanol blend products are sold within FuelWatch boundaries.

Ethanol is pure 100% ethanol, referred to as E100 or "neat ethanol". The Federal Government has established a maximum limit of 10% ethanol in petrol. The most common blends in Australia are E5 (5% ethanol and 95% unleaded petrol) and E10 (10% ethanol and 90% unleaded petrol), which are available in other states. 

A large number of Australian manufacturers support the use of ethanol blend fuels under their warranties, but consumers that are interested in ethanol are advised to contact their vehicle's manufacturer for advice prior to use. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has a list on its website detailing which vehicles can operate using E5 and E10.

Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP)

Now phased out, LRP (96 RON) was introduced as an environmental alternative for cars that used leaded petrol. LRP was refined to contain no lead, along with lower concentrations of benzene and sulphur, respectively identified as health hazards and pollutants.  Lead was historically added to petrol as a cost-effective way of increasing octane and hence engine power rating and providing a measure of engine protection by way of its lubricating qualities. 

DIESEL

Diesel

Diesel engines are usually very efficient engines, offering better fuel economy in comparison to equivalent petrol models.  Diesel engines emit very low levels of exhaust hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide when correctly tuned and maintained. The main concern diesel engines raise is the smoke they emit, which can be a health hazard.

Under Federal legislation, the sulphur content of diesel was reduced to 10 parts per million as of 1 January 2009.  As of 1 March  2009, also under Federal legislation, diesel can contain up to 5 percent biodiesel fuel without a labelling requirement. You can read more about this amendment on the Federal Department of the Environment website.

Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends (B20 diesel)

Biodiesel is 100% biodiesel fuel and is referred to as B100 or “neat biodiesel”. Biodiesel is made from natural renewable sources and can be blended in almost any ratio with petroleum based diesel. Biodiesel blends are often known by the ratio of biodiesel to regular diesel i.e. B20 means 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum based diesel. The most common blends available internationally are B5 (a mix of 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum based diesel) and B20 (a mix of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum based diesel). 

Biodiesel blended fuel (made up of regular diesel mixed with biodiesel) became available at some Western Australian service stations in 2006.  This product, a 20% biodiesel blend, is labelled as B20 diesel under the price search facility on this website. For more information about biodiesel, visit the WA Department of Agriculture and Food's biofuels website.

Diesel can contain up to 5% biodiesel without a labelling requirement. According to the Federal Department of the Environment, the use of five per cent blends is generally accepted by vehicle manufacturers and does not require modification of standard diesel engines. If motorists are concerned about using biodiesel in their vehicle, they should contact their vehicle manufacturer. Additionally, information about the diesel make-up could be sought from the relevant oil company.  Motorists with older vehicles (models prior to 1996) should be aware that there have been reports of minor problems with rubber or synthetic parts in the fuel lines and pump seals as the result of biodiesel use. However, these parts can be replaced with more modern components. Additionally, all motorists using biodiesel should be aware that fuel filters should be regularly checked during maintenance servicing.

LPG

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

LPG, most commonly a blend of propane and butane, is an environmentally cleaner fuel compared to petrol and diesel. It is the most widely accepted alternative fuel for the automotive sector.

Despite LPG cars having lower fuel economy compared to petrol-powered vehicles, fuel costs will usually be lower, as retail LPG prices tend to be lower than other fuel products.

LPG is the only transport fuel in WA which does not have Federal Government excise currently applied to it.   An LPG excise will be introduced in July 2011 in five annual increments of 2.5 cents per litre (cpl), taking it to a total of 12.5 cpl by July 2015.

LPG for the Western Australian market is produced by extraction from petroleum reservoirs (the North West Shelf Joint Venture) and as a by-product of petroleum refinery operations (BP Kwinana refinery).