Front page of the Sydney Morning Herald today.
News And Features - Secrecy over car-rotting petrol additive.
By Mike Seccombe.
716 words
11 December 2002
The Sydney Morning Herald
(c) 2002 John Fairfax Holdings Limited. Not available for re-distribution.
Damning scientific evidence about the dangers to cars, their owners
and the environment from ethanol-laced petrol is in a report being
withheld by the Federal Government.
Blends of 20 per cent ethanol, sold in about 200 outlets in NSW,
cause corrosion of fuel system components, potentially hazardous
fuel leaks and sharp increases in some pollutant emissions, the
report shows.
And while ethanol-blend fuels were slightly cheaper than pure petrol,
a car would travel about 7 per cent less distance on a 20 per cent
blend, resulting in poorer fuel economy.
The Government received the report three weeks ago, yet continues to
insist there is no scientific evidence to justify a legal limit on
the amount of ethanol which can be blended, or even compulsory
disclosure of ethanol levels in petrol.
The study, commissioned by the Environment Department from the
Orbital Engine Company and obtained by the Herald yesterday, reviews
scientific research on the effects of high concentrations of ethanol.
It says the additive can cause corrosion of metal parts leading to
damage to carburettors, fuel pumps, lines and filters, and petrol
tanks. It also causes perishing of plastic and increases emissions of
nitrogen oxides and toxic aldehydes.
The corrosion becomes critical even before the corrosive action
damages the part, as the particles of corrosion can plug small
openings in the carburettor.
Because of ethanol's solvent action, fuel lines can swell, soften,
and lose strength. Plastic and fibre-reinforced parts of fuel systems
can become cracked and leak, creating a potential fire or explosion
hazard.
It can also cause cold-starting problems, engine knocking and
slower acceleration.
Car makers, motoring and consumer organisations and the Petroleum
Institute have lobbied for a year for a 10 per cent cap on ethanol.
Makers will not honour warranties on vehicles run on higher
concentrations.
Cabinet documents leaked to the Opposition show that two government
departments Environment and Agriculture, and Fisheries and Forestry
are also pushing for a 10 per cent limit, at least pending further
research.
Most ethanol outlets are in the Sydney-Wollongong area.
The NRMA's motoring and services chief, Rob Carter, yesterday
demanded that the results of government sampling of petrol stations
for tax purposes which identifies the type of fuel sold be released
to enable motorists to decide where to fill up.
The Federal Government needs to tell the public now where petrol
with high ethanol content is being sold, he said. Instead of
protecting motorists from unscrupulous operators, the Government has
abandoned them at the petrol pump.
Not only independent operators, but also some connected to major fuel
companies had deceived motorists.
Only last week BP terminated contracts with four privately owned
petrol stations for selling unlabelled contaminated fuel, Mr Carter
said.
Currently no action can be taken against these operators because
there is no legislation in place. Until the Government can confirm
ethanol levels above 10 per cent are safe, a 10 per cent limit must
be imposed.
All interest groups want ethanol levels capped at 10 per cent, except
one the Manildra group, which makes nearly all Australia's ethanol
and markets it largely through independent service stations at
concentrations of up to 20 per cent.
Manildra is a major donor to the Liberal Party and its principal,
Dick Honan, is a friend of the Prime Minister. Ethanol is only
competitive with petrol because of a 38 cents-a-litre producer
subsidy introduced at John Howard's behest in September.
A spokeswoman for the Environment Minister, David Kemp, said the
department was still considering the report.
It is a literature review, a summary of the existing evidence, and
it concludes that in many areas there is insufficient or conflicting
evidence indicating that a detailed testing program is warranted.
THE STORY SO FAR
Sept 2000 Government proposes 10 per cent limit on ethanol in petrol.
May 2001 Environment Minister Robert Hill announces new fuel
standards, but not for ethanol. Proposed limit disappears.
Jan 2002 Study called into effects of ethanol
Feb-Mar Car makers demand cap, saying blends above 10 per cent will
void vehicle warranties.
Sept 12 Government protects ethanol industry.
Sept 20 Australian Petroleum Institute told PM would not agree to
limits damaging to ethanol maker Manildra.
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