7 August 2007
In a first for the Northern Territory, United Petroleum is introducing a new grade of petrol PLUS ULP at its branded retail sites in Darwin and Katherine. United's customers will for the first time be able to choose from regular unleaded petrol and ethanol enhanced fuels, David Szymczak, the General Manager of United Petroleum said today.
PLUS ULP is a high performance grade of petrol, enhanced with 10% ethanol. PLUS ULP has a higher octane number (RON) than normal unleaded. PLUS ULP will be discounted and despite the benefits of a higher octane will be sold at a discount to regular ULP. Ethanol is a natural octane enhancer, produced in Australia from renewable crops such as sugar cane and wheat.
The launch of this ethanol enhanced fuel by United Petroleum is a first for the Northern Territory. It is an opportunity for territorians to buy a greener and better performing fuel. Ethanol has been used extensively in petrol in North and South America for more than 20 years, and it is being increasingly used in Europe and Asia. David Szymczak said that using Ethanol in petrol improves engine performance, assists the environment and extends petrol supplies. Ethanol is a natural octane enhancer, so the addition of 10 per cent Ethanol to petrol boosts its octane and its performance. Ethanol contains oxygen and it helps the other components in petrol to burn more completely. It also has a cleaning effect on the car fuel system. Ethanol is widely used in high performance racing fuels. Ethanol assists in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major contributor to global warming. Petrol with 10 per cent Ethanol blend reduces carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbon emissions, and it contains less toxins and carcinogens than regular unleaded petrol.
Using petrol with 10 per cent Ethanol improves Australia's energy security and Australia's balance of payments.
David Szymczak said "PLUS ULP fully meets Australian Fuel Quality Standards, and that most new and older vehicle models can run on petrol containing 10 per cent ethanol."
The members of the Australian Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) have determined that existing vehicle warranties can support petrol with an Elevel up to 10 per cent. Motorists can switch between PLUS ULP and other grades of petrol. Cars manufactured before 1986 using PLUS ULP may require a lead substitute additive.
PLUS ULP is now available at the following United Petroleum branded retail sites:
- United Casuarina
- United Coconut Grove
- United Ludmilla
It will become progressively available across the United branded network in the Northern Territory over the next week.
David Szymczak concluded by saying that Ethanol blended petrols such as PLUS ULP are the way of the future, and will save you money while improving the environment and a enhancing your cars performance. They are cleaner alternate fuels produced from a renewable source that will reduce Australia's reliance on fossil fuels.