InfoQuest, (October 28, 2019) -- Thai Energy Minister Mr. Sonthirat Sonthisajirawong presided over the campaign for the universal use of B10 diesel. According to Article 7 of relevant regulation, fuel traders, The Thai Automotive Industry Association, Thai Biodiesel Producer Association, and The Federation of Palm Planters of Thailand participated in the event. The event was designed to confirm the preparations of all parties in replacing B7 diesel with B10 diesel as base diesel. The Ministry of Energy stipulated that from January 1, 2020, B10 will be used as base diesel of conventional diesel vehicles, B7 will be used as an alternative diesel of old-fashioned vehicles and European vehicles, and B20 will be used as an alternative diesel of large trucks. The objective is to sell B10 in all gas stations country-wide by March 1, 2020.
The Ministry of Energy stipulated that B100 should account for about 10 percent of B10. Such a measure aims to enhance the use ratio of B100 in energy sector, help oil palm planters, and balance the whole palm oil supply-demand system; the system is expected to absorb about two thirds of the country's CPO output, namely about 2.2 million tons each year. Supply-demand balance will help stabilize the price of palm oil, alleviate PM 2.5 problem, and reduce the amount of imported oil by about 1.8 million liters each day.
"People worry about whether B10 will harm engine. For that, auto companies participating in the event have confirmed that B10 can be used in multiple models of diesel engines, such as those of Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan, Ford, MG, and Chevrolet. Old-fashioned vehicles and European vehicles can also use B7 as alternative fuel. The Ministry of Energy will supervise and check the quality of biodiesel from production to sales at gas stations. The Ministry of Energy was confident in the quality of B10, and urged people to use more. While helping oil palm planters, such a measure can also alleviate PM2.5 problem, reduce the amount of oil import, and help cut expenditure, since the price of one liter B10 is 2 baht less than B7," said Mr. Sonthirat.
According to the Energy Minister, currently (July 2019), around 10.5 million autos are using diesel as fuel, including 5.3 million that use B10, accounting for about 50 percent; the rest are very old diesel cars and expensive European cars, which can use B7 as alternative fuel; large trucks can use B20 as alternative diesel.
Car owners can log on the website of the Ministry of Energy (www.doeb.go.th), or consult with after-sales center and customer center of each auto manufacturer to confirm whether their cars can use B10.
Source: InfoQuest, by Arda/ Wilawan / Rachada, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
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