Zimbabwe turns to E85 fuel for transportation

Zimbabwe has increased biofuel awareness by approving an E85 blend suitable for the country’s flexi-vehicles.

The blend will contain a 15% unleaded petrol content and is hoped to lower the price of fuel throughout the country, which at the moment stands between $1.51 (€1.15) and $1.59 a litre.

‘The quality specification of E85 conforms to Standard Association of Zimbabwe Standard ZWS964 part 4 and is based on internationally recognised quality standards for this type of fuel,’ a statement from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) read.

‘We fully support the use of bioethanol blends which reduce environmental emissions as well as enhance energy scrutiny and this is in line with government policy which envisages increased biofuels uptake.’

Industry experts believe this move should result in the reduction of the price of fuel as finance minister Tendai Biti increased excise duty on diesel and petrol by 20% and 25% respectively in March.