Business Correspondent
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Unleaded Petrol has been banned in Zimbabwe.
“Starting next week, motorists in Zimbabwe will no longer be able to purchase unleaded petrol as the government implements new regulations mandating ethanol blending in fuel,” said Minister of Energy and Power Development, Soda Zhemu in statement.
The move, aimed at promoting renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, has raised concerns among motorists who fear potential adverse effects on their vehicles.
Many German made vehicles are supposed to run solely on unleaded Petrol.
“The new mandate is part of our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy sources,” said Zhemu. “However, we understand the concerns of motorists and are working to address them.”
Some motorists have reported issues with ethanol-blended fuel, including increased wear and tear, reduced fuel efficiency, and higher maintenance costs.
“We are aware of the potential challenges and are working with fuel suppliers to ensure a smooth transition,” said Zhemu.
“We will also provide guidance to motorists on how to adapt to the new fuel.”
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has assured motorists that the ethanol-blended fuel meets international standards and is safe for use in most vehicles.
“The fuel has been tested and meets all the necessary standards,” said ZERA CEO, Eddington Mazambani.
“However, we understand that some older vehicles may require adjustments to run on the new fuel.”
Motorists and companies that had stocked up on unleaded fuel coupons are uncertain about what will happen to their investments.
“We are still waiting for guidance from the government on what will happen to our coupons,” said one motorist. “We hope they will offer some compensation for our losses.”
The government has not yet announced any plans for compensation but has assured motorists that they will be supported during the transition.
“We will do everything possible to minimize the impact on motorists and ensure a smooth transition to the new fuel,” said Zhemu.
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