THE Motor Industry Association of Zimbabwe (MIAZ) says motorists must exercise caution when using ethanol blend E85 and ensure their vehicles were compatible.
Report by Tarisai Mandizha
Government last week approved the use of ethanol blend E85 that is suitable for flexi fuel vehicles only as the cost of fuel continues to rise.
The E85 blend contains 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded petrol and is suitable for flexi vehicles.
“I would, therefore, reiterate my caution to the motorist that they should check whether their vehicle is compatible with E85 or not,” MIAZ president Ben Kumalo said in an emailed response.
Kumalo said most vehicles in Zimbabwe were not compatible with E85, therefore, the use of E85 at this stage was limited.
“Most vehicles in Zimbabwe and new ones being brought in by the various franchise holders are not compatible with E85,” said Kumalo. He, however, said the use of E85 was not compulsory, but a matter of free choice on the part of the motorist.
“My advice to any consumers out there who may be considering using E85 is for them to read their vehicle manual to check if their vehicle is flex-fuel or not and/or to check with the franchise holder,” said Kumalo.
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A statement last week by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) said the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, after consultations, gazetted Statutory Instruments 23 of 2013 which specify the quality of E85 and other fuels that may be used in Zimbabwe.
“The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has approved the introduction of a new ethanol blend fuel E85 in Zimbabwe. 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,” said Zera.
“Zera fully supports the use of bio-ethanol blends which reduce environmental emissions as well as enhance energy scrutiny and this is in line with government policy which envisages increased bio-fuels uptake in the immediate future.”
The approval follows the gazetting of 5% mandatory blending on petrol by the government resulting in the production of E5 by licensed ethanol blenders’ countrywide.
When the government gazetted the adoption of E5, it was expected that it would reduce the country’s import bill by $2 million monthly.
Zimbabwe imports between 30 to 40 million litres of petrol every month.
He said the benefit of the mandatory blending would trickle down to the motorists on the road, who will cumulatively enjoy significant savings.
