Low-cost vs. traditional petrol: what are the differences?

The high price of fuel has led many drivers to look towards low-cost petrol stations, which charge considerably lower prices. But there are many myths about the petrol sold at these budget service stations. Is it lower-quality fuel? Why is it so cheap? Is there some trick that could harm the car?

Consumers need to be reassured, and the message is clear: the fuel is exactly the same as that found at any branded petrol station. It is true that some brands add additives to improve performance, but this is anecdotal, and the quality of the fuel is entirely adequate for any vehicle.

The main reason for its lower price

The main reason they have a lower price is the way the fuel is purchased. At these white-label stations, the fuel is bought on the so-called spot market. That is, they go to the market where the various distributors offer fuel, and the low-cost stations buy from whichever distributor suits them best.

In this way, they can find a lower fuel price, since the distributors do not include in this price the services they offer at their branded stations. The service offered at low-cost stations has a lower operating cost, and that is where the difference between the two lies.

But… what about the additives?

The additives added by the major brands do not affect vehicle performance. What these additives do is a cleaning function that improves the condition of the injection area. They clean the injectors and the combustion area around them. With these areas cleaner and working more efficiently, the engine lasts longer and runs better.

The absence of additives in the fuel at these low-cost stations does not reduce performance, and the car runs just the same. Admittedly, they do not contain the extra additives that clean the engine and extend its useful life. These additives have a cost, which is passed on to the final price of fuel at branded stations.

So forget all those hoaxes, myths and lies told about the quality of low-cost stations, and relax when refuelling there. The fuel is the same, and although they may lack the additives found in branded fuels, these are only an extra that does not affect how the vehicle runs.