BP is 100% behind Auckland Regional Council’s push for a lower sulphur diesel for Auckland.
BP Managing Director Peter Griffiths said BP would begin selling low sulphur diesel in Auckland tomorrow if it could.
However, the four oil companies that are supplied from Marsden Point refinery must agree about the diesel quality
because of the shared pipeline and storage facilities that are used to supply Auckland.
Cleaner diesel would cost about 1 cent extra to produce.
Mr Griffiths said if consensus cannot be reached, then BP would investigate other ways to bring low sulphur diesel to
Auckland in the near future.
He encouraged the other oil companies to follow BP’s move to cleaner fuels.
“BP is the first company in New Zealand to launch a diesel with 80% less sulphur than conventional diesel which we began
selling in Christchurch late last year.
Since then diesel sales have jumped about 10% at our Christchurch service stations. The feedback from customers is that
they notice a positive difference in their vehicle’s performance. They also appreciate the opportunity to do something
to benefit their city’s air quality.”
BP chose Christchurch because of the city’s smog problems.
BP’s cleaner diesel is made at Marsden Point in a limited batch and shipped to Christchurch.
Reducing sulphur in diesel means less smoke and fine particulates are emitted during driving. Fine particulates have
been linked to respiratory and cardiac problems.
The low sulphur diesel also gives smooth running and easy starting in winter, and creates less wear and tear on engines.
Mr Griffiths said BP wants to see all New Zealanders benefiting from cleaner fuels.
As well as a new diesel, BP began selling a more environmentally friendly petrol called Ultimate in December last year.
Ultimate has at least 50% less benzene and less sulphur than conventional petrol. Despite it being more expensive than
conventional petrol, demand has at times exceeded supply.
Mr Griffiths said that BP fully supports the Government’s upcoming fuel specification review and will argue strongly for
the Government to regulate for cleaner fuels.
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