Ban on octane-95 delayed
The ban on octane-95 petrol sales will be delayed from the original schedule of January 1, due to insufficient supplies of ethanol and the reluctance of some auto-makers to guarantee the compatibility of the new fuel with all vehicles.
Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand said after a meeting yesterday with auto firms, oil retailers and refineries that the new deadline would be set next week after discussions with ethanol producers. "In December, there could be only 700,000 litres of ethanol supply against an estimated demand of 800,000 litres a day," Piyasvasti said. He also said more supply should come on stream in the first quarter of next year, as new plants will commence operations in February. Aside from supply, several auto-makers have not yet guaranteed the compatibility of gasohol with carburettor-equipped vehicles, which total 500,000 units across the country. These cars are older than 10 years. The auto firms have therefore urged the government to further allow the sale of octane-95 petrol for cars which cannot use gasohol or octane-91 petrol. "I believe nobody will be disturbed by the delay," Piyasvasti said. "But if we maintain the original schedule, it could cause damage to some car models. We need to be fair to these owners." He added that the delay would not affect the government's policy to promote alternative fuels, since the government would continue with its gasohol consumption campaign. According to Ninnart Chaithirapinyo, vice chairman of Toyota Motor Thailand, auto-makers are split in their opinions. Some want to maintain the old policy - to ban octane-95 sales on January 1 - but others want the government to further allow the sale of both gasohol and octane-95. "Toyota is in the first camp, as any change could cause confusion," Ninnart said, adding that gasohol is compatible with all cars with a fuel-injection system. Toyota will launch a campaign to help owners of old cars, probably through a discount for equipment replacement. Chaiwat Choorit, senior executive vice president of PTT Plc, said the delay would not hurt retailers who are offering both octane-95 and gasohol. But he agreed the octane-95 ban should be delayed if ethanol supply is insufficient. Anusorn Sangnimnuan, president of Bangchak Petroleum, also agreed. So far, Bangchak has produced only gasohol and bought octane-95 from other retailers for resale at its petrol stations.
Energy Reporters The Nation
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