Thailand delays 91 RON gasoline phase out

Thailand’s plans of phasing out the 91 RON gasoline has temporarily come to a halt until 2012, despite sharp increases in the consumption of ethanol-blended gasoline, said Deputy Director General Twarath Sutabutr of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE). The country had targeted to phase out 91 RON gasoline by the end of 2010 and replace it with E10, but around 40-45% of the country’s gasoline consumers still use ULG 91 (91 RON gasoline), followed by ULG 95 (95 RON gasoline) and E10. Meeting the deadline for a complete phase-out of 91 RON gasoline was unrealistic as there are many concerns in terms of costs and alienating certain groups of consumers, said Twarath. Three years ago, Thailand attempted to replace 95 RON gasoline with gasohol 95, but the plan never materialized. (December 30, 2010)