adminPrince Mukuna Herald reporter
Most fuel stations in Harare have embraced Diesel (D50) as the country phases out the environmentally unfriendly D500, which is also allegedly harmful to car engines. Zimbabwe stopped importing D500 in November last year to reduce carbon emissions and cater for modern vehicles.
As the country switches to D50, which has low sulphur content, the price of the product is expected to decline as well.
Diesel 50 is a low sulphur diesel that contains 50ppm (parts or particles per million) sulphur, which is much lower than the regular diesel used in Zimbabwe that contains 500ppm of sulphur (D500).
In a statement last week, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) chief executive officer Engineer Gloria Magombo said the prices that are emerging on the market are a result of the transition process.
“The reduction of D50 prices is a result of use of the cheaper pipeline to transport D50 into the country, and convergence in prices of D50 and D500 shows compliance to the Government directive to ban D500 by 1 May 2018.
“Compliance testing by Zera shows that the majority of fuel retail sites are now selling D50 only, with a few sites selling remaining stocks of D500,” said Eng Magombo.
It is believed that all diesel products that are now sourced through the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC) are compliant with the new regulations.
According to Eng Magombo, phasing out D50 has positive health and environmental implications.
Not only does D50 lead to a reduction in particulate matter (solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of which are hazardous) and black smoke, but it drastically reduces cases of lung diseases and cardiopulmonary diseases, she said.
“D50 reduces the maintenance costs as it results insignificant contamination of engine oil and decrease in formation of acidic compounds; thus prolonging the lifespan of engines. Improved fuel consumption and performance because D50 has better combustion quality,” she said.
A snap survey by The Herald at the weekend on filling stations in Harare’s central business district indicate that companies such as Zuva, Engen and Total were complying with Government’s directive.
For example, Total and Zuva Petroleum are selling D500 and D50 for $1,22 as they try to clear out stocks for the former.
However, a few filling stations are still selling both D50 and D500.
Online Reporter