Consumers to Get Cleaner Petrol and Diesel - Associate Minister of Energy Media Statement

Associate Minister of Energy Harry Duynhoven today announced changes that will result in higher quality, cleaner petrol and diesel for New Zealanders.

Following a review of the Petroleum Products Specification Regulations (PPSR) 2002, the government has decided that from 1 January 2008, the level of sulphur in both grades of petrol will be reduced to 50 parts per million (ppm). From 1 January 2009 sulphur levels in diesel will be reduced to 10 ppm, effectively making it "sulphur-free".

The reductions in sulphur levels will improve air quality, reduce the impact of particulate emissions on human health and encourage the uptake of newer, cleaner vehicles in New Zealand, particularly the introduction of low-emission diesel vehicles.

"The net benefit of improving the quality of petrol and diesel is a cleaner, healthier environment for all New Zealanders," Harry Duynhoven said.

The government has substantially reduced the sulphur level in both petrol and diesel since the introduction of the Petroleum Products Specification Regulations in 2002. The new changes are in line with similar moves by other countries in the region, thereby maximizing security of fuel supply and minimizing price impacts.

"The government remains committed to the introduction of zero sulphur petrol, but a decision on when sulphur levels in petrol will be lowered to 10 ppm cannot be made until regional security of supply issues concerning the fuel have been resolved," Harry Duynhoven said.

The government has also changed the current sulphur test methods to ensure tests are appropriate for the new levels of sulphur, and confirmed that the current test methods for diesel filter blocking tendency which aim to avoid engine filter-blocking problems with diesel are the most suitable available.

The current petrol manganese limit will remain in place until 2010, by which time it is expected that better information will be available internationally to make an informed review on the limit of manganese in petrol.

For further information please refer to the Questions and Answers.

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