Published Sunday, 17 December, 2006 at 10:00 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
DRIVE YOUR DOLLAR FURTHER MOTORISTS URGED TO SWITCH TO +E FUEL OVER CHRISTMAS
Minister for State Development John Mickel, motor racing legend Sir Jack Brabham and V8 Super car owner Shane Beikoff have joined forces to urge Queensland motorists to make the switch to ethanol over the busy Christmas driving season.
“Fuels with added ethanol, or +e fuels, are a cleaner, healthier and environmentally-friendly fuel alternative,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel said +e fuel also prolonged the life of existing fossil fuels and benefited the State’s grain and sugar cane growers and the Queensland economy as a whole.
He said Queensland had currently more than 180 petrol stations selling ethanol blended fuels.
“This represents a 450 per cent increase from 40 service stations two years ago, but compared to the total number of sites across the State, there is still a long way to go,” he said.
“Independent research commissioned by the Queensland Government shows that more and more motorists are regularly fuelling up on ethanol blended fuel and most who try the fuel use it more than once.
“Findings from online respondents reveal the number of motorists buying +e fuels has increased from one in six to one in four in less than a year. What’s really interesting is that it’s mostly young men, 16-30, who are buying renewable +e fuels.”
Mr Mickel said while the uptake of ethanol blended fuel had increased, Queenslanders generally did not understand the positive impact ethanol blended fuel would have on their vehicles
“This is why the Queensland Government has teamed up with three-time Formula One Champion Sir Jack Brabham and V8 Super Car driver and mechanical authority Shane Beikoff to educate motorists about the benefits of using +e fuel.
According to Sir Jack Brabham, ethanol blended fuels are quality fuels, which may improve a vehicle’s performance and engine power, a bonus for long motoring trips over Christmas.
“What many motorists don’t know is that ethanol is an oxygenate which tends to burn more efficiently and more completely, and therefore delivers better vehicle performance.
“They also help lower harmful exhaust emissions and are currently retailing at the same price or lower than unleaded petrol depending on the retailer. There are also premium brands available with added ethanol,” Sir Jack said.
According to a 2003 ABARE study, ethanol-blended fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 per cent at the tailpipe.
Mr Beikoff encouraged the motoring public to make an informed choice about using +e fuels in their vehicle.
“I would like to reassure motorists that they do not need to make any special alterations, re-tuning or engine adjustments to their vehicles before they fuel up with ethanol blended fuels,” Mr Beikoff said.
“All they need to do is check their vehicle is compatible by visiting www.autoindustries.com.au/ethanol,” he said.
Mr Mike McGuinness, BP Australia’s Vice-President Fuels, said most car manufacturers approved the use of +e fuel in the majority of their post-1986 models.
He said BP’s ethanol blend, New BP Unleaded, was specially formulated to improve fuel system protection, helping to improve performance and extend engine life.
He also said +e fuel was fully compatible with conventional petrol and could be readily mixed with unleaded petrol.
“BP has sold more than 50 million litres of +e fuel in Australia since 2000 and we’ve not received a single customer complaint,” Mr McGuinness said.
Further information on ethanol blended fuel and the Queensland Government’s +e campaign is available on www.ethanol.qld.gov.au
TOP +e MOTORING TIPS FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Here are some tried and true motor travel tips to ensure an enjoyable summer holiday journey:
+ensure you’ve checked the oil and tyre pressure and don’t forget the spare
+ensure your mobile phone is charged in case of an emergency
+exercise caution when driving during the hours of dawn and dusk – humans aren’t the only ones using the roads
+examine the weather and road conditions before you leave
+eliminate driver fatigue by taking frequent breaks
+ensure when driving in remote areas you take note when passing landmarks, they can indicate your location in the event of a break-down
+escape the traffic jams and take the scenic route
+ensure you fill up with an ethanol blended fuel when you see the +e sign on the bowser
+enquire about the benefits of +e fuels – visit www.ethanol.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
Contact for BP Australia: Mr Bill Frilay, tel 03- 9268 3880 / mobile 0410 479 257
17 December 200
“Fuels with added ethanol, or +e fuels, are a cleaner, healthier and environmentally-friendly fuel alternative,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel said +e fuel also prolonged the life of existing fossil fuels and benefited the State’s grain and sugar cane growers and the Queensland economy as a whole.
He said Queensland had currently more than 180 petrol stations selling ethanol blended fuels.
“This represents a 450 per cent increase from 40 service stations two years ago, but compared to the total number of sites across the State, there is still a long way to go,” he said.
“Independent research commissioned by the Queensland Government shows that more and more motorists are regularly fuelling up on ethanol blended fuel and most who try the fuel use it more than once.
“Findings from online respondents reveal the number of motorists buying +e fuels has increased from one in six to one in four in less than a year. What’s really interesting is that it’s mostly young men, 16-30, who are buying renewable +e fuels.”
Mr Mickel said while the uptake of ethanol blended fuel had increased, Queenslanders generally did not understand the positive impact ethanol blended fuel would have on their vehicles
“This is why the Queensland Government has teamed up with three-time Formula One Champion Sir Jack Brabham and V8 Super Car driver and mechanical authority Shane Beikoff to educate motorists about the benefits of using +e fuel.
According to Sir Jack Brabham, ethanol blended fuels are quality fuels, which may improve a vehicle’s performance and engine power, a bonus for long motoring trips over Christmas.
“What many motorists don’t know is that ethanol is an oxygenate which tends to burn more efficiently and more completely, and therefore delivers better vehicle performance.
“They also help lower harmful exhaust emissions and are currently retailing at the same price or lower than unleaded petrol depending on the retailer. There are also premium brands available with added ethanol,” Sir Jack said.
According to a 2003 ABARE study, ethanol-blended fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 per cent at the tailpipe.
Mr Beikoff encouraged the motoring public to make an informed choice about using +e fuels in their vehicle.
“I would like to reassure motorists that they do not need to make any special alterations, re-tuning or engine adjustments to their vehicles before they fuel up with ethanol blended fuels,” Mr Beikoff said.
“All they need to do is check their vehicle is compatible by visiting www.autoindustries.com.au/ethanol,” he said.
Mr Mike McGuinness, BP Australia’s Vice-President Fuels, said most car manufacturers approved the use of +e fuel in the majority of their post-1986 models.
He said BP’s ethanol blend, New BP Unleaded, was specially formulated to improve fuel system protection, helping to improve performance and extend engine life.
He also said +e fuel was fully compatible with conventional petrol and could be readily mixed with unleaded petrol.
“BP has sold more than 50 million litres of +e fuel in Australia since 2000 and we’ve not received a single customer complaint,” Mr McGuinness said.
Further information on ethanol blended fuel and the Queensland Government’s +e campaign is available on www.ethanol.qld.gov.au
TOP +e MOTORING TIPS FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Here are some tried and true motor travel tips to ensure an enjoyable summer holiday journey:
+ensure you’ve checked the oil and tyre pressure and don’t forget the spare
+ensure your mobile phone is charged in case of an emergency
+exercise caution when driving during the hours of dawn and dusk – humans aren’t the only ones using the roads
+examine the weather and road conditions before you leave
+eliminate driver fatigue by taking frequent breaks
+ensure when driving in remote areas you take note when passing landmarks, they can indicate your location in the event of a break-down
+escape the traffic jams and take the scenic route
+ensure you fill up with an ethanol blended fuel when you see the +e sign on the bowser
+enquire about the benefits of +e fuels – visit www.ethanol.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
Contact for BP Australia: Mr Bill Frilay, tel 03- 9268 3880 / mobile 0410 479 257
17 December 200