Taiwan vehicles start shift to E3 fuel

Minister of Economic Affairs Steve R.L. Chen activated a “green government vehicle” program by ordering that all vehicles owned by the central government and the Taipei municipal government use E3. Chen said that since every 1,000 liters of E3 can contribute to a reduction of 2.1 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the green program — the first stage of a comprehensive plan to promote the consumption of biofuels nationwide — can help slow global warming. Under the Energy Bureau’s plan, by 2009, all service stations in the country’s two main cities of Taipei and Kaohsiung will sell E3, with the other cities and counties around Taiwan following suit by 2011. Bureau officials said private vehicles are welcome to use the fuel, which is priced NT$1 (US$.03) lower than CPC 95 unleaded gasoline per liter. Nevertheless, the officials warned that for locally made vehicles, only those manufactured after 2001 can directly shift to E3, according to the Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association. (September 29, 2007)