MIA Welcomes Government Announcement on Fuel Specification Review
Perry Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of the Motor Industry Association (MIA), which represents new car distributors, said
that the Association and members welcomed today’s announcement by the Government of the proposed changes to the
Petroleum Products Specifications Regulations.
Mr Kerr said that members were particularly happy with the decision to reduce the sulphur content of diesel down to 500
parts per million (ppm) from August 2004 and then to 50 ppm from 2006 with a further review to lowering this down to
10-15 ppm by no later than 2009-2010. This aligns the NZ diesel fuel with international requirements and will allow MIA
members to import vehicles with the latest emission and fuel efficiency technology. Mr Kerr said as a result of this
announcement one member has confidently advised that they will now move to fit emission equipment to their full range of
heavy vehicles.
Mr Kerr went on to say that the only disappointing aspect of the review was that the sulphur level for unleaded 91
petrol was not lowered to 50 ppm in line with the Marsden Point Oil Refinery production. By having a higher limit, oil
companies could import higher sulphur petrol for distribution. He went on to say that he hoped that the oil companies
would not do this.
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