E5 RON92 gasoline consumption is good

In the first half of the year, consumption of E5 RON92 gasoline accounts for more than 40% of the total petroleum consumed domestically. Picture: Nguyen Thanh.

Consumption increased by more than 30%

According to the latest report of the Domestic Market Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), in the first half of this year, the total domestic petrol volume in the whole country reached about 4.43 million m3. In particular, gasoline E5 RON92 reached about 1.78 million m3, accounting for about 40.18%; RON95 gasoline reached about 2.65 million m3, accounting for about 59.82%. Compared with the first 6 months of 2017, E5 RON92 gasoline domestic consumption has increased by 31.18% (E5 RON92 in 2017 was only about 9% of total gasoline consumption).

A number of focal companies have the ratio of gasoline E5 RON92 as quite high compared to the total gasoline consumption in the first half of the year, and is due to "the name": the General Petroleum Corporation reached about 62.53%; Vietnam Oil Corporation reached about 50.15%; Vietnam Oil and Gas Group reached 47.70% and Hai Linh Co, Ltd., reached 42.62%.

Mr. Nguyen Loc An, Deputy Director of Domestic Market Department commented that the increased growth rate of E5 RON92 gasoline consumption was in the first 6 months of the year when the nationwide commercial deployment showed a positive signal for its consumption.

Relating to the supply of raw materials, with ethanol fuel (E100) being used to mix gasoline E5 RON92, Mr. An said, “In the domestic market, only Tung Lam Co, Ltd., is the E100 provider for the Petroleum business to mix gasoline E5 RON92 (through two factories located in Dong Nai and Quang Nam with a total production capacity of 200,000 m3 per year). In addition, the E100 Binh Phuoc plant (capacity of 100,000 m3 / year) and Dung Quat E100 plant (capacity of 100,000 m3 / year) are calculating the re-start up plan. In addition to the domestic supply, some petroleum enterprises have also imported to actively source E100 to mix gasoline E5 RON92. So, the E100 supply for the E5 RON92 gasoline mix is generally guaranteed," said Mr. An.

Still hesitant about quality

Although authorities have confirmed that E5 RON92 bio-fuel consumption is showing signs of improvement, a survey by Customs Newspaper showed that many users are still cautious about this kind of gasoline.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Phong (Cau Giay, Hanoi) said, “I often use a Ford car to travel over a distance of about 20km per day. However, I never used gasoline E5 RON92.” His reason is that the manufacturer recommended that users should not use this gasoline for the car.

Besides the recommendations of manufacturers, many consumers have used it, but have now decided to say "bye" to E5 RON92 because of quality concerns. Mr. Nguyen Van Nam (Long Bien, Hanoi) said, “Currently, I am using a Kia Carens car and a Liberty motorcycle. For the car the manual is written on the lid of the gas tank to use A95 or A98 gasoline, so very few people use E5 RON92 for cars. For motorcycles, several times I tried using E5 RON92 gasoline and if a motorcycle has not been used for a long time, the gasoline dries and cracks rubber compounds, and corrodes the zinc and aluminum alloys used in carburetors. We do not use E5 RON92 gasoline,” Mr. Nam said.

Answering the question, how is the quality of E100, E5 RON92, Mr. Nguyen Loc An cited: Clause 1, Article 32 of Decree No. 83/2014 / ND-CP stating, "Only good quality gasoline that is in conformity with national technical regulations and announced petrol standards can be circulated on the Vietnamese market.”

In Announcement No. 255/TB-VPCP dated 6th June, 2017 of the Government Office announcing the conclusion of the Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung at the meeting on the implementation of the project on development of biofuels, and the roadmap to apply the rate of blending biofuels with traditional fuels, the Ministry of Science and Technology has been assigned to study the amendment and supplement of standards on biofuels when necessary, setting up a plan of inspection and management with measuring equipment and quality of biofuel in import, production and circulation in the market.

Standing as head of the only enterprise supplying E100 in the country, Mr. Vu Kien Chinh, General Director of Tung Lam Co. Ltd., affirmed: The quality of E100 alcohol in the country is very good. Previously, when domestic consumption situation met difficulties, we have exported E100 to markets such as Japan, Korea, China... to survive. Tung Lam has supplied E100 ethanol for large petroleum enterprises in Vietnam since 2011, and so far has not recorded any complaints related to quality. E100 alcohol and E5 RON92 gasoline are combined with E100 only accounting for 5% of E5 RON92 gasoline, while 95% is A92. Therefore, the quality and price of E5 RON92 depends on petroleum A92. The addition of 5% E100 alcohol to mineral oil reduces emissions, contributing to environmental protection.