TAIA: E20 blends suitable for some new vehicles

Some new automobile engines manufactured in Thailand will be able to use E20, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline, says Suparat Sirisuwannangkura, president of the Thai Automotive Industry Association (TAIA), the Bangkok Post reports. Eco-cars, compact and fuel-efficient compact models now being promoted by the government, would be the first vehicles designed to use E20, he said. Previously, carmakers were reluctant to provide E20-compliant vehicles since the fuel was not available commercially in Thailand and other incentives were not attractive. Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand has offered a sweetener by confirming that excise taxes on E20 cars would be reduced starting in January by five percentage points. (October 22, 2007)