The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
MOST filling stations countrywide have begun selling the latest ethanol-blended fuel (E15) in keeping with a Government directive to increase the blending level. In recent weeks, there have been mixed reactions to the new product with some vehicle assemblers and distributors arguing the fuel was not compatible with their cars. Some corporate organisations and industries were also reported to have been stockpiling unleaded fuel to avoid mandatory blending.
Government has, however, stuck to its position and the introduction of E15 was only delayed mainly due to limited ethanol stocks.
Compliance tests by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) in different parts of the country have shown that most retailers are selling the fuel. Motorists now keenly await the blend’s impact on fuel prices.
Zera chief executive officer Engineer Gloria Magombo said her institution was satisfied with compliance after the latest round of assessment.
She said Zera was yet to receive complaints regarding any negative effects of E15, adding that new research would focus on the compatibility of ethanol-blended fuel with various vehicle types.
Government recently increased the mandatory blending level of anhydrous ethanol with unleaded petrol from 10 percent to 15 percent (E15).
