Plunkett

MOTORISTS WHO use the E10-87 petroleum will have to wait a little longer for its all-island availability.

Government had planned for an April release.

According to a statement from Delano Seiveright, adviser to Minister of Energy and Mining James Robertson, there is a major effort to get the more affordable and environmentally friendly fuel to more Jamaicans.

"The Government is still committed to this project but, at this time, a new deadline has not been established," the statement read.

The main reason for the delay is the unavailability of a storage tank for E10-87 in Montego Bay.

According to the statement: "The initial size of the tank was revisited and a new size agreed on, hence the whole process of approval was repeated, which resulted in the delay. However, the contract was awarded and work is proceeding apace."

Despite the restricted availability of the product, Craig Plunkett, brand manager for Petcom, said it is doing well for his company.

"We have seen a dramatic increase in our sales, specifically as it relates to E10 versus what we used to term as the regular 87," Plunkett said. Petcom was the first company to make the product available through their service stations.

Initially, some drivers were apprehensive about the product, as individuals were unsure of whether it burned efficiently.

"Officially, I have not got any complaints. We've actually had comments to the contrary, particularly coming from the taxi operators," said Plunkett. "They believe that the product gives them more power and allows the car to run smoother."

There was also apprehension about the E10's compatibility with different cars.

"As it is now, we just have E10-87 so all the vehicles that used to use 87 before should be compatible with it," Plunkett explained.

The brand manager said E10-87 must not be used as a substitute for the 90 octane, as this would pose problems.

"I think some persons may use it, even if their vehicles never used 87 before because of the attractive price, so I think that's where you get some little compatibility issues."

He added that a good way to assess a vehicle's compatibility is its age.

"It's just 10 per cent ethanol so just about every gasolene vehicle since 1986 can deal with it," he said.

Ethanol replaced another additive, methyl tertiary-butyl ether, which is gradually being phased out of use in fuel.