The UK’s first publicly available sustainable petrol designed specifically for classic vehicles has gone on sale.
The Sustain Classic range will allow motorists to fuel their vintage vehicles with plant-based petrol, without any modifications to their engines, with three types of fuel initially available.
Developed by fuel specialist Coryton, the fuel with the highest sustainable content promises a reduction of at least 65% in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil fuels.
The pioneering products use advanced second-generation biofuel manufactured from agricultural waste, such as straw, by-products or waste from crops which wouldn’t be used for consumption.
By doing so, the fuel utilises the carbon that already exists in our atmosphere, which the plants absorb as they grow, recycling it, rather than releasing additional CO2 that is currently locked underground in fossil fuel.
With an octane number >98 and bio-ethanol content of <1%, Sustain Classic has been technically tailored for classic vehicles, although it can be used on any vehicle which runs on standard forecourt petrol. It’s also formulated with a premium additive package included, which stabilises and extends the life of the fuel and helps clean and protect the engines.
Priced from £3.80 per litre, Sustain Classic will be available from distributor Motor Spirit at Bicester Heritage from 13th June, with more stockists launching across the UK in the coming months.
There are currently three variants of the drop-in replacement fuel available. All are suitable for all year-round use.
Super 80
- Created at least 80% renewable content
- Delivers a GHG saving of more than 65%, compared to fossil fuels
- 98RON (Super Unleaded) EN228 Compliant
- Multifunctional deposit control additive package reduces existing deposits and maintains engine cleanliness and performance with regular use
- Priced from £4.65 per litre
Super 33
- Created at least 33% sustainable content
- Delivers a GHG saving of more than 25%, compared to fossil fuels
- 98RON (Super Unleaded) EN228 Compliant
- Multifunctional deposit control additive package reduces existing deposits and maintains engine cleanliness and performance with regular use
- Priced from £3.80 per litre
Racing 50
- High performance sustainable petrol ideal for performance and racing use in vehicles that require a higher-octane fuel
- Created at least 50% renewable content
- Delivers a GHG saving of more than 35%, compared to fossil fuels
- 102RON, for high octane applications, EN228 Compliant
- Premium deposit control additives reduce existing deposits and maintain engine cleanliness and performance with regular use
- Priced from £5.24 per litre
The fuels range from at least 33% sustainable content to at least 80%. “Every kilogram of CO2 we avoid adding to our atmosphere, by replacing fossil fuel with sustainable fuel, is a win,” said David Richardson, Business Development Director at Coryton.
“We don’t instantly have to go for the full switch to start making a genuine impact. As more feedstocks become available, these fuels will start to contain even higher levels of traceable sustainable elements.
“However, we want to keep things as affordable as possible for consumers and be open about what’s actually achievable at the moment.
“The availability of true fossil free fuel components is limited. So, we’re setting truthful and realistic goals, producing fuels that have a meaningful impact whilst meeting the demands of the user.”
Guy Lachlan, who heads up Motor Spirit at Bicester Heritage (one of the distributors of Sustain Classic), added: “We’re very excited to be the launch partner for Coryton’s Sustain Classic fuel.
“It is vital for the future of Classic Cars and Motorcycles that environmentally-friendly liquid fuels are commercially available, and Motor Spirit’s facility at Bicester Heritage is the perfect location to start an environmental revolution.
“Sustain Classic represents the best available combination of usability, sustainability and quality: exactly in line with Motor Spirit’s ethos.”
