‘Green’ petrol could be critical hit for NI

PRA chairman Brian Madderson

Northern Ireland could be particularly affected by plans to introduce a new biofuel rich petrol, it has been claimed.

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) said it has written to Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Economy, Simon Hamilton, to delay the introduction of the fuel, called E10.

It contains a 10 per cent mix of ethanol, which can be used in some relatively new engines without the need for modification.

The proposed switch is being handled by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LCVP), who say it will reduce the demand for fossil fuels, and to bring down polluting emissions.

However, according to PRA chairman Brian Madderson, questions remain about E10’s commercial viability, especially in the Northern Ireland market.

“The [Northern Ireland] market is presently split with some terminals supplying 95 E5 and another supplying only 95 E0, so a rapid move to 95 E10 will have significant repercussions,” he said.

In his letter to Simon Hamilton, the PRA chairman said: “The proposed standard grade 95 E10 is said to have a lower energy content than 95 E5 and will adversely impact fuel efficiency by reducing miles per gallon. To reflect this, the wholesale price should be at a proportionately lower level by reducing excise duty.”

Mr Madderson also said older vehicles may be forced to switch to premium grade fuels, while retail fuel stations across the UK would find it difficult to stock three separate grades of petrol.

He added that the imposition of the fuel did “not have the support of independent retailers at this time”.

“Any attempt to allow a market-led, instead of mandated, introduction will result in an ineffective and damaging outcome,” he said.

Mr Madderson’s comments followed testing by influential motoring title What Car that showed an 11.5 per cent drop in miles per gallon with E10 fuels.