Complete Guide to Fuel Types
Learn about all fuel types available in Melbourne. Find the right fuel for your vehicle and compare prices across all types.
Related Resources
Comprehensive Fuel Type Data
Our fuel type information comes from the official Fair Fuel Open Data API, ensuring you have access to accurate, up-to-date information about all available fuel types in Victoria.
- Complete list of all 11 supported fuel types
- Official fuel type codes and names
- Price comparisons across all fuel types
- Information about alternative and eco-friendly fuels
© State of Victoria accessed via the Victorian Government Service Victoria Platform
Fuel Planning Framework
Pair live Fair Fuel pricing with driving goals to keep every refill intentional. Start with the right octane, layer in timing insight, then save your favourite stations for quick reference on the go.
- Review the complete fuel guide to match octane and additives with your vehicle.
- Time fill-ups with the weekly price cycle breakdown for predictable savings.
- Save shortlists inside the station directory so you always have a low-price backup nearby.
Commuter Mix
Blend U91 for city driving with occasional P95 top ups before long freeway days.
Learn more →Family Travel
Plan school holiday trips with stations that stock LPG plus premium unleaded.
Learn more →Performance Build
Track P98 and premium diesel trends so tuned vehicles never run low on supply.
Learn more →Sustainability Path
Compare E10, E85, and biodiesel availability before committing to greener fuels.
Learn more →
Melbourne Unleaded 91 Average
Updated live unleaded 91 and petrol prices from Melbourne stations on the listing cycle.
Standard unleaded petrol suitable for most vehicles. The most common fuel type in Australia.
Find Unleaded 91 prices →
Melbourne Premium 95 Average
Premium 95 unleaded prices listed across Melbourne fuel stations today — compare before you drive.
Premium unleaded with higher octane rating. Better performance and efficiency for modern engines.
Find Premium Unleaded 95 prices →
Melbourne Premium 98 Average
Live premium 98 unleaded prices updated when stations refresh their bowser listings.
Premium unleaded with highest octane rating. Best performance for high-compression engines.
Find Premium Unleaded 98 prices →
Melbourne Diesel Average
Average diesel pricing from Melbourne fuel stations today — same feed as the live directory.
Standard diesel fuel for diesel engines. More fuel-efficient than petrol for long distances.
Find Diesel prices →
Melbourne Premium Diesel Average
Premium diesel listings where stations report this grade alongside standard diesel.
Premium diesel with additives for better engine performance and fuel economy.
Find Premium Diesel prices →
Melbourne E10 Average
E10 ethanol blend prices at Melbourne stations listing this grade — check your vehicle label first.
Ethanol blend (10% ethanol, 90% unleaded). Environmentally friendly and often cheaper.
Find Ethanol 10 prices →
Melbourne E85 Average
E85 flex-fuel prices where listed — only for vehicles rated for high ethanol blends.
High ethanol blend (85% ethanol). For flex-fuel vehicles. Lower emissions.
Find Ethanol 85 prices →
Melbourne B20 Biodiesel Average
B20 biodiesel blend prices where stations publish this fuel for compatible diesel vehicles.
Biodiesel blend (20% biodiesel). Renewable fuel option for diesel vehicles.
Find Biodiesel 20 prices →
Melbourne LPG Average
LPG prices where stations list autogas — handy for dual-fuel and commercial vehicles.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Cleaner burning alternative fuel, often more economical.
Find Liquefied Petroleum Gas prices →
Melbourne LNG Average
LNG prices for specialist and heavy-vehicle listings that report this fuel in Victoria.
Liquefied Natural Gas. Alternative fuel for commercial vehicles.
Find Liquefied Natural Gas prices →
Melbourne CNG Average
CNG prices where stations report compressed natural gas for compatible vehicles.
Compressed Natural Gas. Clean alternative fuel option.
Find Compressed Natural Gas prices →Standard Fuels
- • Unleaded 91 (U91) - Most common petrol
- • Premium 95 (P95) - Higher octane unleaded
- • Premium 98 (P98) - Highest octane unleaded
- • Diesel (DSL) - Standard diesel fuel
- • Premium Diesel (PDSL) - Enhanced diesel
Alternative Fuels
- • E10 - 10% ethanol blend
- • E85 - 85% ethanol blend
- • B20 - 20% biodiesel blend
- • LPG - Liquefied Petroleum Gas
- • LNG/CNG - Natural gas options
Petrol vs diesel in Australia
Quick summary
Petrol (unleaded grades) powers typical spark-ignition cars. Diesel is a separate fuel for compression-ignition engines. Pump prices, litres per 100 km, and annual kilometres together determine fuel spend — not the fuel name alone.
Key takeaways
- Always match fuel to the manufacturer label; misfuelling causes costly damage.
- Diesel often lists at a higher cents-per-litre price than ULP 91; efficiency and annual distance decide whether you still buy fewer litres overall.
- Melbourne listings on this site come from Victorian retail price reporting — compare grades on the directory, then confirm on the bowser.
Best for
Readers who want plain-language definitions, then live Melbourne prices by grade — especially households running both a petrol car and a diesel ute or van.
Not ideal for
Guessing octane or ethanol suitability from internet forums instead of the vehicle handbook, or using pump averages as mechanical advice.
Definitions
- Petrol (unleaded family)
- Spark-ignition road fuels sold as 91, 95, or 98 RON unleaded (and ethanol blends such as E10) — choose the grade your vehicle is built for.
- Diesel
- Fuel for diesel engines only; chemistry and combustion differ from petrol. Use diesel grades and additives as your manufacturer specifies.
At-a-glance comparison
| Topic | Petrol (ULP / premium) | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Engine type | Spark ignition | Compression ignition |
| Typical purchase lens | Octane rating on label | Diesel only tanks |
| Price driver (simplified) | Cycle + brand competition | Wholesale + retail spread, demand |
Bottom line
Pick the grade your vehicle requires, then compete on total litres × honest L/100 km × price per litre — our tools and guides help with the last two once the label question is settled.
Deep dives and authority cluster
Start with the hub, then follow topics in order when you want price spreads, reliability, or environment trade-offs.
- Diesel vs petrol hub (2026 guide)
- Why Is Diesel More Expensive Than Petrol Australia
- Difference Between Diesel And Petrol
- Is Diesel Better Than Petrol Pros And Cons
- Diesel Vs Petrol Fuel Economy Explained
- Should You Buy Diesel Or Petrol Car Australia
- Diesel Vs Petrol Reliability
- Diesel Vs Petrol Environmental Impact
- 95 Vs 98 Petrol Worth It
- Petrol Vs Diesel Melbourne
Open the diesel vs petrol fuel calculator when you have kilometres, L/100 km, and two pump prices to compare.
Frequently asked questions
Is diesel better than petrol?
Neither fuel is universally "better" — engines are designed for one or the other. Compare running costs with real efficiency and pump prices, not slogans.
Can I use E10 instead of unleaded?
Only if your vehicle is approved for E10. Check the manufacturer label and state guidance; when unsure, use the fuel grade specified in the handbook.
Where do Melbourne fuel type averages come from?
Fair Fuel Open Data and retailer price reporting for Victoria, surfaced on this site alongside station-level listings.
Compare Prices for Your Fuel Type
Find the best prices for your preferred fuel type across all Melbourne stations. Use our station directory to filter by fuel type and brand.