France sees ethanol blend deadline delays
The implementation of a 10% ethanol blend in unleaded petrol in stations in France has hit delays.
The higher blend, currently 5%, should be sold in 75% of the nation’s stations by the end of the year, Jean-Louis Schilansky, president of the oil trade group UFIP, says.
Ethanol must be moved by truck rather than by pipeline; existing oil depots and service station tanks must be adapted to the new unleaded; and service stations must either sacrifice one pump to deliver it or, if a large service station, use one that was used to deliver other unleaded petrol.
BP will be able to have all its service stations ready with E10 by the end of April, but Shell has no access to any depots. It sold its three refineries last year and relies on the speed at which the new owners can accommodate its needs.
Total expects to have some 300 service stations delivering E10 the first fortnight in April and will progressively have all of its 4,000 service stations in France ready during the year.
The government's purpose in introducing the E10 at least 5 years ahead of the EU is that is should reduce carbon dioxide emissions in France by 1 million tonnes a year by 2010.
The higher blend, currently 5%, should be sold in 75% of the nation’s stations by the end of the year, Jean-Louis Schilansky, president of the oil trade group UFIP, says.
Ethanol must be moved by truck rather than by pipeline; existing oil depots and service station tanks must be adapted to the new unleaded; and service stations must either sacrifice one pump to deliver it or, if a large service station, use one that was used to deliver other unleaded petrol.
BP will be able to have all its service stations ready with E10 by the end of April, but Shell has no access to any depots. It sold its three refineries last year and relies on the speed at which the new owners can accommodate its needs.
Total expects to have some 300 service stations delivering E10 the first fortnight in April and will progressively have all of its 4,000 service stations in France ready during the year.
The government's purpose in introducing the E10 at least 5 years ahead of the EU is that is should reduce carbon dioxide emissions in France by 1 million tonnes a year by 2010.
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