Vietnam fuel distributors to shift to ethanol blend this week
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Vietnam’s biggest fuel distributors said they would complete a shift to an ethanol-blended product by Friday as part of a government program to promote a more eco-friendly fuel.
State-owned PetroVietnam Oil Corp (PV Oil), which sells oil and fuels, will replace RON 92 fuel at all of its fuel stations with E5, a mixture of 95 percent of RON 92 and 5 percent of ethanol, by December 15, its parent firm PetroVietnam said on its website on Monday.
Top fuel importer and distributor Petrolimex said on its website last week that its 2,400 stations across the country would have shifted to the ethanol-blended fuel by the end of this week.
Vietnam has been pushing for the E5 mixture as ethanol can be produced from cassava, making it renewable. Several factories have been set up specifically to process cassava into ethanol.
But critics and drivers argue the mixture could cause fire or damage vehicles’ engines and parts. The government has said the mixture is safe, adding that drivers should use vehicles from a certain year of production, depending on the model, to ensure they are safe.
Another type of non-ethanol fuel, RON 95, is still on sale, but in smaller volumes.
Vietnam plans to complete the shift to the E5 mixer across all fuel stations by January 1 next year.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific fuel product is being replaced by the new ethanol blend?
Which specific fuel product is being replaced by the new ethanol blend?
State-owned PetroVietnam Oil Corp (PV Oil) will replace RON 92 fuel at all its stations with E5. This new blend is a mixture of 95 percent RON 92 and 5 percent ethanol.
Q.What is the government's primary reason for promoting this shift to ethanol-blended fuel?
What is the government's primary reason for promoting this shift to ethanol-blended fuel?
The Vietnamese government is pushing for the E5 mixture as it is considered a more eco-friendly fuel. Ethanol can be produced from renewable cassava, aligning with environmental goals.
Q.What concerns have critics and drivers raised about the new E5 fuel mixture?
What concerns have critics and drivers raised about the new E5 fuel mixture?
Critics and drivers have expressed worries that the E5 mixture could potentially cause fires or damage vehicle engines and their components. These concerns have been publicly raised.
Q.Will consumers still have access to any non-ethanol fuel options after the shift?
Will consumers still have access to any non-ethanol fuel options after the shift?
Yes, another type of non-ethanol fuel, RON 95, will still be available for sale. However, it will be offered in smaller volumes compared to the new E5 blend.
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