Sulfur-free gasoline and diesel fuel will be distributed in Japan ahead of other countries, starting in January 2005, the Petroleum Association of Japan (PAJ) announced at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office on September 17, 2004. "Sulfur-free" is defined as a sulfur content of less than 10 parts per million (ppm).

Gasoline and diesel fuel currently distributed in Japan are already very low in sulfur content - at less than 50 ppm, the lowest in the world. However, Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Basic Environment Plan and the recommendations of the national Advisory Committee on Energy and Natural Resources both call on the PAJ to make gasoline and diesel fuel sulfur-free by 2008 at the latest.

To promote speedy distribution of sulfur-free fuels, PAJ member companies have invested approximately 250 billion yen (U.S. $2.25 billion) in research and development of new technologies, as well as in the construction and reconstruction of desulfurization facilities. As a result, sulfur-free gasoline and diesel fuel will be available all over Japan starting in January 2005, several years ahead of schedule. Replacement of all domestic stocks with sulfur-free fuel is expected to be complete by April 2005, and sulfur-free gasoline and diesel fuel will be sold at all gas stations in Japan except in Okinawa Prefecture and on isolated islands.

Because sulfur-free fuel eliminates the damage done by sulfur to car engine exhaust gas purifiers, the PAJ and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will be looking to the auto industries to develop even lower-emission, more fuel-efficient automobiles as soon as possible. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will be urging the central government to enforce the world's strictest regulations on car exhaust gases.



Posted: 2005/01/04 03:58:06 PM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Local government , Manufacturing industry , System/Law , Technology , Transportation