The invention relates to a fuel supply unit comprising a pumping element and an electromotor arranged to drive the same. The pumping element and electromotor are housed in a common housing. A fuel supply unit is already known which is secured upright within a fuel container in such a manner that the pumping element is disposed near the bottom of the fuel container, a first intake area being provided oriented toward the bottom of the fuel container and a second intake area being provided which is remote from the bottom of the fuel container. As a result of this arrangement, it is possible to carry any vapor bubbles arising at elevated fuel temperatures away from the pump chamber and thus to assure satisfactory fuel supply. However, this arrangement also has the disadvantage that when the fuel level in the fuel container drops below the level of the second intake area, no further fuel is supplied. This stops the engine or prevents it from turning over upon starting, even though, since such containers at the present time are generally quite flat in shape, the container may still contain a relatively large quantity of fuel.