BP vs SHELL: Which is Cheaper Today?

BP and SHELL are priced evenly across 4 fuel types today.

Side-by-side comparison of BP (1005 UK stations) and SHELL (848 UK stations) using live Fuel Finder prices refreshed every 30 minutes.

Today's Prices, Head-to-Head

Fuel BP
1005 stations
SHELL
848 stations
Difference Saving on 60L fill Cheaper today
Unleaded (E10) 157.6p
997 stations
156.9p
843 stations
0.7p £0.42 SHELL
Super Unleaded (E5) 177.1p
956 stations
180.3p
840 stations
3.2p £1.92 BP
Diesel (B7) 178.0p
995 stations
177.2p
844 stations
0.8p £0.48 SHELL
Premium Diesel (SDV) 197.6p
920 stations
200.7p
802 stations
3.1p £1.86 BP

Averages exclude stations with price-correction flags. A 60L fill is used as a representative tank size.

About each brand

BP operates one of the UK's largest oil-major branded forecourt networks. Most BP sites are dealer-owned — BP sets the brand standards and supplies fuel, but pricing flex is delegated to the individual dealer operator, which is why BP prices vary more site-to-site than some peers. BP's premium fuel is BP Ultimate, available in both petrol (guaranteed 97 RON) and diesel (B7) grades with a proprietary ACTIVE detergent additive pack. At a smaller number of sites BP also sells Ultimate 102, a 102 RON super unleaded aimed at performance engines. The BPme loyalty app gives per-litre rewards on fuel and shop spend and lets you pay for fuel from your car at participating sites.

Shell is one of the UK's largest oil-major fuel networks, with branded forecourts spread across supermarket-free towns, motorway service areas and dealer-operated sites. Shell forecourts are typically more expensive than supermarkets on standard grades, reflecting higher operating costs and the absence of a grocery loss-leader model. Shell's main selling point is its premium fuel range: V-Power 99 octane super unleaded and V-Power Diesel both carry a proprietary additive pack marketed as keeping fuel injectors clean over time. Shell Go+ Rewards is Shell's loyalty app: members earn 1 point per litre on regular Shell fuel, 2 points per litre on V-Power, and every 10 qualifying visits (£10+ on fuel or £2+ in-shop) unlock a fuel discount voucher.

Loyalty & Highlights

BP
  • BP Ultimate Unleaded: 97 RON petrol with BP's ACTIVE detergent additives (ethanol-free, which is why it sits at 97 not 99 RON).
  • BP Ultimate 102: 102 RON super unleaded at a small number of sites, aimed at performance cars.
  • BP Ultimate Diesel: additive-branded premium diesel (B7) sold alongside standard B7.
  • BPme app: fuel rewards plus pay-from-your-car functionality at most UK BP stations.
SHELL
  • V-Power: Shell's branded 99-octane super unleaded with proprietary cleaning additives.
  • V-Power Diesel: additive-branded premium diesel (SDV) sold alongside standard B7.
  • Shell Go+: 1 point/L regular Shell fuel, 2 points/L V-Power; every 10 visits unlocks a fuel discount voucher.
  • V-Power bonus: extra £3 fuel reward for every 300 litres of V-Power purchased.

Cheapest forecourts right now

Top 3 sites for each brand, excluding stations with flagged prices.

Cheapest unleaded (E10)

BP
  • HU11 4DB LONDIS SUPERMARKET 143.9p View
  • WA5 7TY EUROPA BOULEVARD 143.9p View
  • S73 8DT 245 BARNSLEY RD 145.9p View
SHELL
  • CM77 8QG SHELL WHITECOURT 145.9p View
  • ML4 1QZ shell bellshill 146.9p View
  • PA1 1SU SHELL 146.9p View

Cheapest diesel (B7)

BP
  • HU11 4DB Wytonbar Service Station (PREMIER) 164.6p View
  • BT10 0AA 2-4 164.9p View
  • BT10 0GY CREIGHTONS OF FINAGHY 164.9p View
SHELL
  • SA68 0YH CROSSROADS GARAGE 163.9p View
  • OX12 9TE FUEL 24 ASSETS LTD 165.7p View
  • TD1 1PW ADAM PURVES GALASHIELS LTD 165.9p View

Frequently Asked Questions

SHELL averages 156.9p per litre on Unleaded (E10), 0.7p cheaper than BP at 157.6p. That's about £0.42 off a 60-litre fill.

BP averages 177.1p per litre on Super Unleaded (E5), 3.2p cheaper than SHELL at 180.3p. That's about £1.92 off a 60-litre fill.

SHELL averages 177.2p per litre on Diesel (B7), 0.8p cheaper than BP at 178.0p. That's about £0.48 off a 60-litre fill.

BP averages 197.6p per litre on Premium Diesel (SDV), 3.1p cheaper than SHELL at 200.7p. That's about £1.86 off a 60-litre fill.

BP has 1005 reporting forecourts; SHELL has 848. Figures reflect stations currently submitting prices to the UK Fuel Finder scheme.

Prices come from the UK government's Fuel Finder scheme, which requires large fuel retailers to publish pump prices. MPG Calc refreshes the data every 30 minutes.