Shell Launches New ‘Premium-Plus' Fuel

Benefits of Shell V-Power Nitro+ include greater efficiency and longer engine life, according to lab tests.

June 02, 2015

HOUSTON – Beginning this week, Shell is selling a new grade of “premium-plus” fuel, Shell V-Power Nitro+, at stations nationwide. Shell claims the high-end fuel’s benefits include longer engine life and greater efficiency.

"Nitro+ adds protection against wear and corrosion to the detergents our gasoline already contains," said Shell researcher Ed Nelson. According to Nelson, Shell’s laboratory testing demonstrated reduced wear and corrosion, by adhering to the moving metal parts in pumps, cylinder rings and injector, while also reducing corrosion by preventing the water in gasoline from adhering to the metal components.

According to a report in USA Today, independent experts say that Shell’s assertions seem plausible, in the absence of independent research, which would either prove or disprove the claims.

"Shell is taking their premium fuel and moving it up," GM fuel specialist Bill Studzinski told USA Today. "Reducing wear can help maintain optimal performance through the vehicle's life," which will be increasingly important as tougher fuel economy and emissions standards come into play.

Other experts weighed in, commenting that if the reformulated fuel contributes to lower internal friction, it could lead to a more efficient vehicle.

Shell has not confirmed what the price point of V-Power Nitro+ will cost compared to other grades, which will contain lower amounts of the new chemicals. Shell has not, however, made any claims about the impact on engine wear and corrosion for its reformulated regular and mid-grade gasolines.

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