Published Friday, 09 March, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BACKS SMART STATE ETHANOL PLAN
Minister for State Development John Mickel today said a new federal Government report on the performance of ethanol blended fuels (+e) paved the way for the introduction of an ethanol mandate in Queensland.
The Queensland Government is committed to introducing the mandate by 2010, a move that would see +e widely available throughout the State.
Mr Mickel said the Federal Government’s latest ethanol report, Assessment of the Operation of Vehicles in the Australian Fleet on Ethanol Blended Fuels, backed up State Government issued advice on the appropriate use of blended fuels.
“For a long time we’ve been saying that if your car is pre-1986 or is a carburettor vehicle then you will need to check whether you can take advantage of ethanol blended fuels.
“We do expect that by the time the mandate comes into force, most pre-1986 cars will no longer be in operation.
“Some newer higher performance vehicles also run on carburettors and owners can do a simple check to determine whether their vehicle is ethanol friendly.”
Motorists can check their vehicle’s +e compatibility by visiting www.autoindustries.com.au/ethanol
He said that the report would be used in conjunction with advice received from the Ethanol Mandate reference group to determine how best to introduce a mandate into Queensland by 2010.
“The Ethanol Mandate Reference Group consists of key industry people and stakeholders and I’ll consider both this report and their advice in determining how best to introduce a mandate,” Mr Mickel said.
“Clearly there will be some vehicles on the road in 2010 that aren’t compatible with +e so the federal Government will need to ensure the appropriate labelling of fuels so motorists can make an informed choice.
“This will be a key issue for the mandate reference group.”
Mr Mickel said the State Government welcomed the report’s endorsement of +e at a time when global warming had become an issue of concern to the general public.
“It’s important we press full steam ahead with the development of an ethanol industry,” Mr Mickel said.
Queensland consumes about 4250 megalitres of fuel a year and a 2003 ABARE study found that ethanol blended fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 per cent at the tailpipe. As well, research by CSIRO in New South Wales suggests that for each litre of ethanol produced, there is a 2.5kg reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
He applauded Queensland motorists and the fuel industry for getting behind the renewable fuel.
“We now have more than 180 petrol stations across Queensland offering motorists the positive +e choice.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
9 March, 2007
The Queensland Government is committed to introducing the mandate by 2010, a move that would see +e widely available throughout the State.
Mr Mickel said the Federal Government’s latest ethanol report, Assessment of the Operation of Vehicles in the Australian Fleet on Ethanol Blended Fuels, backed up State Government issued advice on the appropriate use of blended fuels.
“For a long time we’ve been saying that if your car is pre-1986 or is a carburettor vehicle then you will need to check whether you can take advantage of ethanol blended fuels.
“We do expect that by the time the mandate comes into force, most pre-1986 cars will no longer be in operation.
“Some newer higher performance vehicles also run on carburettors and owners can do a simple check to determine whether their vehicle is ethanol friendly.”
Motorists can check their vehicle’s +e compatibility by visiting www.autoindustries.com.au/ethanol
He said that the report would be used in conjunction with advice received from the Ethanol Mandate reference group to determine how best to introduce a mandate into Queensland by 2010.
“The Ethanol Mandate Reference Group consists of key industry people and stakeholders and I’ll consider both this report and their advice in determining how best to introduce a mandate,” Mr Mickel said.
“Clearly there will be some vehicles on the road in 2010 that aren’t compatible with +e so the federal Government will need to ensure the appropriate labelling of fuels so motorists can make an informed choice.
“This will be a key issue for the mandate reference group.”
Mr Mickel said the State Government welcomed the report’s endorsement of +e at a time when global warming had become an issue of concern to the general public.
“It’s important we press full steam ahead with the development of an ethanol industry,” Mr Mickel said.
Queensland consumes about 4250 megalitres of fuel a year and a 2003 ABARE study found that ethanol blended fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 per cent at the tailpipe. As well, research by CSIRO in New South Wales suggests that for each litre of ethanol produced, there is a 2.5kg reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
He applauded Queensland motorists and the fuel industry for getting behind the renewable fuel.
“We now have more than 180 petrol stations across Queensland offering motorists the positive +e choice.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
9 March, 2007