Super fuels ban for Met drivers

Staff at the Metropolitan Police (Met) have been banned from using premium super fuels in a bid to save money.

Transport bosses for the force, which runs 5,442 road vehicles, said such fuels "offer no discernible benefit" compared to standard products.

They said the cost, about five pence a litre more, cannot be justified when public money is being spent.

But fuel providers have clamed the fuels can help keep new cars performing like new for longer.

The Met runs hybrid cars and motorcycles to armed response vehicles and coaches.

'Dispute findings'

The Met's decision comes as senior staff signed a new contract for vehicle fuel cards.

The new two-year agreement will give drivers more flexibility and enable them to take advantage of cheaper supermarket forecourts.

In documents submitted to the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), Nigel Jakubowski, director of transport services, said staff can choose the cheapest fuel available.

Mr Jakubowski said: "It is also proposed that users are prevented from using 'super' fuels that offer no discernible benefit over standard fuels but typically cost more than five pence per litre more."

Consumer magazine Which? provoked an outcry from fuel providers last year when it published a report branding super fuels a "waste of money".

But providers disputed the findings and methodology of the report.