Zera reduces petrol blending levels

Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) said on Thursday it had reduced the level of petrol blending from E20 to E10 with immediate effect.

As the designations imply, ethanol blended petrol has “E” numbers which
describe the percentage of ethanol in the mixture by volume.

“Please be advised that the level on blending of anhydrous ethanol with unleaded petrol has been reduced from E20 to E10,” Zera said in a statement.

“Implementation is with immediate effect.”

While the regulator did not give reasons for the move, changes in blending
levels have been a common feature depending on the availability of ethanol.

There are two major producers of ethanol in the country, and 11 licensed
fuel blenders.

And despite public perceptions that the petrol is blended beyond the ratios
officially stipulated, Zera has insisted that compliance is at most times
100 percent.

Complaints about over-blending always follow when motorists discover they
required more fuel to cover a particular distance, costing them more.

The government introduced fuel blending in 2008 to help cut the import bill, and avert shortages.

It was hoped the move would also reduce the price of petrol.

But fuel demand remains high, with the commodity in short supply for nearly
five years.
New Ziana