1990 estimated date for lead-free petrol

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 2

1990 estimated date for lead-free petrol

PA Wellington Premium grade petrol should have a maximum lead content of 0.15 g a litre no later than 1990, said the Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard, yesterday. Removal of lead from the 96 octane petrol depended on progress in development of alternative octane boosters such as methanol and M.T.8.E., he told a natural gas conference at Auckland University. It also depended on replacement of older vehicles with cars designed to run on lead-free petrol. Mr Tizard said recently that the lead level in 91 octane petrol would be reduced. He also told the conference yesterday that changes

to alternative fuels incentives were proposed. “At present incentives cost the taxpayer about $3O million a year,” he said. “These incentives have been important to develop a base level of conversions and the infrastructure for the industry. “However, I consider the time has come to ascertain whether such incentives should be more selectively targeted so that the taxpayer gets the best return for each dollar.” The review of incentives also aimed to increase the level of conversions to a number where the industry was self-supporting. But he saw a. need for Government assistance to overcome problems with vehicle performance after

conversion to C.N.G. Some cars had continuing problems. “The Government and researchers need to devise ways of overcoming this problem,” Mr Tizard said. “This is an area where additional Government funding may be required in the form of technical training sessions for installers and provision of a performance guarantee. “This option is under negotiation by my Ministry and the trade associations involved,” he said. An example of work being done now was Auckland University’s investigations into increasing the pressure in C.N.G. cylinders to offset loss in vehicle range that could follow proposed gas stripping.