Energy Ministry Launches Gasohol Drive

Energy Ministry launches gasohol drive

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Energy today launched its biggest bid yet to encourage motorists to switch to gasohol, announcing that it would halt imports of premium gasoline by the end of next year.

The campaign, launched in conjunction with Bang Chak Petroleum and some of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, comes at a time when the government is desperate to reverse its trade deficit, largely caused by expensive oil imports.

Speaking of his satisfaction at the number of motorists who had switched to gasohol use, Energy Minister Viset Choopiban revealed that national gasohol sales had reached around one million litres a day, up from only 200,000 litres in January.

He expressed confidence that this trend was set to continue, as more and more stations began offering gasohol as an alternative fuel.

Revealing the government’s ambitious target of halting all premium gasoline imports by the end of 2006, he urged motorists to switch to the new fuel, noting that it did not damage engines and was Bt1.50 per litre cheaper than conventional petrol.

If all motorists turned to using gasohol, the nation would save Bt4-5 billion each year, he said.

But a less optimistic note was sounded by Mr. Anusorn Saengnimnual, President of Bang Chak, who admitted that a lack of public understanding had in fact contributed to a slowdown in the growth rate of gasohol usage.

Bang Chak hopes to offer gasohol in 460 of its 500 petrol stations by the end of the year.

--TNA 2005-06-09