Government mulling over low-grade fuel for motorcycles

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The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has directed relevant authorities to consider the proposal on low-grade fuel put forth by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). The low-grade fuel under consideration is 80-82 RON petrol to be made available for motorcycles. There are two main reasons behind considering low-grade fuel for bikes. The first one is to provide cheaper fuel for the owners of motorcycles as oil prices are consistently rising. The second one is to make old refineries functional in the country. This will be conducive to employment opportunities in the oil sector as well. Furthermore, using low-grade fuel will reduce the import bill of Pakistan as additives to improve the fuel quality are being imported currently.

Analysis

The introduction of low-grade fuel will most definitely provide relief in the short run; however, in the long term, people will most probably experience engine failures. Engine failure can cost a lot to fix, and the money saved today on fuel will not be sufficient to get engines fixed tomorrow. Seeing it from this perspective, the introduction of low-grade fuel is not a viable move in the long run.

Read Also: PM Imran Khan aims to introduce electric cars in Pakistan

Moreover, oil marketing companies are opposing this proposal as they will have to make necessary adjustments to retail outlets and storage facilities across the country. At the retails outlets, they will have to install separate nozzles. At storage facilities, oil marketing companies will have to store the low-grade fuel separately. The automobile sector, under the leadership of Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), has also strongly opposed the low-grade fuel proposal. 

To pursue international standards on fuel quality, Pakistan made a shift from 87 RON to 92 RON fuel about two years ago. Fuels with higher RON (Research Octane Number) are better in quality as they are cleaner to burn and cause less pollution. According to PAMA, introducing a low-grade fuel (80-82 RON) will be a massive setback in the effort to streamline the oil sector of Pakistan with international standards.

Tell us about your opinion on the low-grade fuel for motorcycles in the comments section below.

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2 Comments
  1. Ishaq Dollar says

    Considering decades old engine tech in currently available Chinese/Honda bikes (CD70/CG125 and replicas), low grade fuel is sufficient. However, newer tech bikes like Yamaha, Suzuki, etc will likely suffer engine failures.

  2. Aqeel Zia Nayyer says

    to bhai wo 91 RON ya 97 RON dlva lain.

  3. Fawad Khan says

    Such stupid solutions as Octane Numbers represents fuel burning efficiency instead of upgrading to more better and efficient fuel we are going back ,Such a shame when you elect some one who has absolutely no idea how world works .

  4. Abdullah says

    two words Pollution increase

  5. Awais Yousaf says

    I would rather buy experience fuel for my bike and keep it in working condition rather than falling for Immi traps.

  6. Awais Yousaf says

    Yup yamaha, cbf and GS owners can definitely buy better fuel.

  7. Muhammad Talha says

    I think that the Older bikes like the cd 70 replicas that are available in Pakistani market will run happily on the 82 ron proposed by the government. Only the newer model bikes will suffer. But then again, these newer model bikes are more expensive and their owners can definitely afford to get hobc for their bikes. Plus a news report on dawn’s website said something similar as well. Since these lower grade fuels will also be free of the MMT additive that is put in our petroleum products, they will lead to lower emissions.

  8. Muhammad Kashif Khan says

    Besides the issues mentioned in the article it is worth mentioning that it will definitely add to the pollution especially in the cities having less number of trees and moderate number of bikes. Yes I am talking about Karachi. This will have negative impact on the health of the people thus creating a lucrative business for the doctors and medicine developing business unit. Overall it would be another fiasco attempt from the govt.

  9. Jehanzaeb Khan says

    Pakwheels MUST interview Dr Abdullah Malik who is behind this idea. It is his brain child. He has conducted tests on low grade fuel in terms of emissions etc on motorbikes in UET.
    There is a mafia operating who doesn’t want this to succeed.
    You may contact Dr Abdullah who is Member OGRA, a phD from UK in Chemical engineering.
    His number is: 0300 4889950

    It would be better to get his perspective on this initiative although it has still not been accepted and approved.

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