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Gov’t Revisits Hybrid as Energy-Saving Option

June 24, 2013

The Full Story

The Government is revisiting the idea of introducing hybrid vehicles to the local market, as it continues to put energy saving measures in place.

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, made the disclosure on Monday, June 24, as he addressed the official launch of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) at the Petcom Dunrobin station, St. Andrew.

Fuel retailers, marketing companies, motor vehicle dealers, motorists, and other stakeholders welcomed the introduction of the fuel.

[RELATED: Gov’t to Schedule Expansion of Petrojam Refinery]

Minister Paulwell noted that while the initial cost is higher than that of regular diesel, the improved mileage ULSD provides will redound to the long-term benefit of motorists.

“We are encouraging Jamaicans to step up as we try to preserve our environment and make our vehicles last longer,” he stated.

In his remarks, Sales and Marketing Manager, Petcom, Alphanso Chambers, said sulphur reduction in diesel is essential in ensuring the proper functioning of vehicles with advanced emission control systems, and new diesel engines.

He noted that there is a reduction in harmful sulphur emissions, exhaust smoke and odour, leading to improved air quality, thereby protecting the environment.

Mr. Chambers said that all necessary precautions have been taken to prevent contamination of ULSD. He informed that all marketing companies have been mandated to ensure that dedicated storage tanks, fuel lines, pumps and haulage trucks are identified to satisfactorily accommodate the transportation and retailing of the fuel.

Motorists will be able to make the distinction between regular diesel and the newly introduced ULSD, as regular diesel has a red appearance, while ULSD is straw coloured.

ULSD, which is being distributed by Petrojam, has a sulphur content of 15 parts per million, which is a vast improvement from the sulphur content of 5,000 parts per million, of the current diesel.

The Minister also turned on the pumps at the Shell Gore Terrace on Constant Spring Road, to officially mark the arrival of the fuel at 10 service stations in the Shell network.

Contact: Alphea Saunders

Last Updated: July 19, 2013

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