Oil retailers urged to promote B10 to tackle black-smoke emissions

“The Energy Ministry had announced B10 biodiesel [diesel mixed with 10 per cent pure palm oil] would be the standard biodiesel from January 1 for domestic consumption instead of its B7 counterpart and aims to have all petrol stations in the country sell B10 by March,” she said. “We expect B10 sales to touch 57 million litres per day by the end of the year; we have already hit the 3-million milestone.”
Nantika said B10 biodiesel has a lower emission rate than B7 or regular diesel and will therefore be a good alternative for vehicle users who wish to help reduce air pollution, a problem gripping the country.
“Besides making B10 a standard biodiesel, the Energy Business Department has worked with domestic oil vendors to promote the reduction of black smoke emission, which is one of the causes of the PM2.5 problem [dust particulate matter not more than 2.5 microns in diameter],” she said.
According to the director-general, six partners of the department – PTT Oil and Retail Plc, Bangchak Corporation, Shell Company of Thailand, Esso (Thailand), Chevron (Thailand) and PTG Energy – will organise a campaign at their service stations with oil-changing services by reducing service fees of up to 50 per cent and providing discounts on oil and air filters.
“Changing oil and filters regularly is an effective way to increase the engine combustion rate and reduce emissions,” she pointed out. “We expect this campaign, which will run through to February 29, will help reduce black-smoke emissions by up to 13 per cent.”