Will you buy the new Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel?

Teri Ann Renee Paisley, Gleaner Online Writer

It’s a fact that escalating gas prices have several consumers seeing ‘red’. The fuel also seems to be gone as soon as you fill up your tank causing more frustration.

Many of the emissions caused by vehicles are also a concern for environmentalists who assert that this is damaging the environment.

Is there any relief on the horizon? Well, there have been some interesting developments in this area, as efforts continue to be made to give alternatives to consumers.

The government has recently announced the introduction of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel. Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) is diesel fuel with substantially lowered sulfur content. ULSD has a lower energy content due to the heavy processing required to remove large amounts of sulfur from oil, leading to lower fuel economy.

The introduction of ULSD was greeted with much anticipation as it has been proclaimed to be an environmentally friendly fuel.

It has also been touted as a superior choice as it provides better mileage and in the long run saves money.

In preparation for the use of this new fuel, a red dye was recently added to the regular diesel in order to differentiate it from the new Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel which has a light yellow straw colour.

Cost

The new fuel is be sold at approximately 10 per cent above the cost of regular diesel.
According to the production manager at Petrojam, Telroy Morgan, ‘the current configuration of its refinery does not allow for refining of ULSD, and so the fuel is being imported to satisfy market demand.’

As there needs to be an introduction of special distribution lines, this will affect the affordability of the product. Click here to read the full article from The Gleaner:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130616/news/news7.html

So does this mean that consumers will rush to buy the new fuel?

The persons I asked about the new fuel expressed concern about how the new fuel would affect their vehicles’ performance. However, most said they would try it, since it is being described as offering better mileage than regular gas.

Although some expressed disappointment at the cost, one man pointed out that he understood the need for a higher price and in the long run consumers would actually save money if it meant that less gas would last longer.

Should you try the new gas?

It certainly would help the environment to have less noxious emissions from vehicles and the added benefit of good mileage is an incentive for consumers.

I will be trying the new gas, how about you?

Let me hear from you!

Tags: diesel, gas