Premium gasoline carries the widest markup spread of any grade in Vancouver. At warehouse-club gas bars the premium-over-regular gap can be as small as 12¢/L, while full-service stations downtown, on the West Side and across the North Shore stretch it to 30¢/L or more. If your vehicle requires 91 octane — and a lot of the turbocharged German and luxury vehicles on Vancouver roads do — choosing the right pump matters more for premium than for any other fuel: $8–12 per tank between the cheapest and priciest station on the same afternoon. On top of North America’s highest base prices, that adds up quickly.
Most priced stations we track in Metro Vancouver sell a premium grade, typically 91 octane. Chevron — the dominant brand in BC — sells Supreme Plus at 94 octane, the highest commonly available in the region; Shell V-Power is 91+. The two Costco gas bars in Metro Vancouver, in Port Coquitlam and Langley, usually anchor the low end of the premium ranking by a wide margin — but note there is no Costco gas in Vancouver proper, so factor in the drive.
One caution that applies to premium more than any other grade: only pay for it if your car requires or measurably benefits from it. If the owner’s manual says “premium recommended” (not required), a modern engine runs safely on regular with a small performance reduction. If it says “premium required”, use the list below to pay as little as possible for it.