Thailand to phase out 100% gasoline to boost ethanol use

Thailand will begin to phase out 100% gasoline in the local retail market by October 2012 to boost ethanol use, according to Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan after a meeting of the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC). Pichai said the plan would double ethanol consumption to 2 million liters per day. The country’s total current capacity is estimated at 3 million liters. The NEPC also ruled out a proposal from the Industry Ministry to reinstate the diesel fuel tax early next year. The waiver will continue next year. The government estimated it would lose about 9 billion baht (US$292 million) in revenue a month from the diesel fuel tax waivers. Thailand consumes 52-53 million liters of diesel fuel per day. (December 1, 2011)