BP To Launch Environmentally-Friendly Fuel

BP is to launch a high-performance, cleaner-burning petrol in New Zealand next month.

The fuel, to be branded Ultimate, is low in sulphur and has more octane and half the benzene level of other petrols sold in New Zealand.

It will be this country’s most environmentally-friendly petrol and, with a guaranteed minimum octane rating of 97.5, will significantly outperform all other petrols available in New Zealand.

Ultimate will go on sale at selected service stations in Wellington and Auckland from mid-December 2000. It will sell for the same price as Premium Unleaded petrol as at today’s prices.

BP’s Managing Director Peter Griffiths also announced today that BP would shortly introduce a low sulphur diesel into the Christchurch market.

BP estimates that some cars will run at least 3% more efficiently on Ultimate than on Premium Unleaded petrol. Because the cars run more efficiently, less carbon dioxide is burned during driving, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming.

BP says Ultimate would reduce New Zealand’s carbon dioxide emissions by about 6,000 tonnes each year if 3% (about 60,000) of the cars on our roads used the new fuel.

Cars on New Zealand roads produce about 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

All vehicles can use Ultimate, but modern, high-peformance cars will get the most benefits in terms of power and efficiency. Older cars (pre-1990) with high compression ratios will also benefit.

The new petrol contains additives that keeps engines clean and controls deposit build-up. Clean fuel system components such as fuel injectors and carburettors give vehicles extra power and throttle response and help cars run more smoothly.

Mr Griffiths said that Ultimate is the first step in the journey towards making cleaner fuels available to all New Zealanders.

“Ultimate demonstrates BP’s global commitment to making and selling cleaner fuels wherever we are able to do so.”

“The cleaner petrol is another example of our commitment to the environment and follows on from our launch of New Zealand’s first solar-powered service station last year.”

Mr Griffiths urged other oil companies to follow BP’s lead so that all New Zealanders can experience the benefits of cleaner fuels.

- ends -

For further information contact:
Jane Diver
Communications Manager
BP New Zealand
Ph: 04 495-5656
Mob: 025 575 668

© Scoop Media