Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has finalised the arrangements to extend 'E10 Gasoline' pilot project to Lahore and Karachi following its successful launch by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz recently (August 16) at PSO's retail outlet at Islamabad.
The new fuel - 10 percent ethanol blended with motor gasoline is being introduced experimentally as part of government's strategy to promote alternate energy resources. During last year only the country had to pay $2.5 billion extra due to unprecedented increase in world oil prices.
Speaking on the occasion at the launching ceremony in Islamabad, the Prime Minister had described it as a landmark for energy security of the country, cleaner environment and welfare of the people.
In a statement issued here on Monday, the Prime Minister added that with the introduction of E-10 gasoline, Pakistan has joined those few nations who sell blended fuel.
He said, ethanol, a by-product of molasses through distillation, would not only be comparatively cheaper but also enhance performance of the engine through lead removal. It would also benefit the farmer, who would feel attracted to grow more sugarcane and get adequate compensation.
The pilot project will be conducted for six months, with 25 pre-identified vehicles using ethanol-blended gasoline in each city being monitored by the Hydrocarbon Development Institute and PSO to evaluate their performance, customer response and feedback.
Based on these results, the blended fuel usage in country will be initiated presenting customers with alternate fuel choices as CNG and LPG. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had, on July 27, 2006 approved the pilot project and asked Pakistan State Oil to launch it with technical collaboration of Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan.
The other countries where ethanol is already being used as fuel are USA, Denmark, Brazil, and India, while Zambia has also recently announced its plans to go for ethanol-blended gasoline.-PR