BP has rolled out what it describes as its biggest fuel launch in the UK in 10 years.

Drivers in the UK can now fill up with new BP Ultimate which includes active technology, a formula based on patented technology designed to actively fight dirt, protect against it building up and so help engines run as the manufacturer intended.

BP stations across Australia, New Zealand, the US, Europe and South Africa will begin to see the new fuels in their forecourts in the coming weeks.

BP says the cleaning action can give drivers up to 21 extra miles per tank, and drivers who achieve improved fuel efficiency through use of Ultimate fuels may also reduce their CO2 equivalent emissions by up to 4% for the same journey.

“This is our biggest fuels launch in 10 years,” said Tufan Erginbilgic, BP’s chief executive, downstream.

“We have developed a fuel that is designed to benefit our customers and the environment. We think this is an important step towards improving fuel efficiency. It demonstrates our commitment to giving our customers what they want at the same time as enabling a reduction of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. In the future, we hope all fuels will be like this.”

The roll out of active technology fuels will be supported by a television and advertising campaign featuring a character called Orby, a bright green orb who lives in every BP site.