Muz

'BP says ethanol-blended petrol will not be manufactured or supplied anywhere in Australia because of poor consumer confidence.'

http://www.abc.gov.au/news/justin/nat/news...9feb2003-14.htm

Sunder

Another link. This one actually works:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/19/...5638361888.html

Muz

Damn. I knew I should have tested it.

Anyway, I see the cane farmers are pretty dissapointed but as both BP and the Federal Govt., have said the public has had their faith shaken and basically don't want it. It hasn't been ruled out yet though. Mandatory labelling is where the discussion seems to be at present.

naishou

Another victory for self interested corporate propaganda

Muz

Don't know about that. Possibly. I'd imagine many people would be seeing it as a victory for the consumer in not having it forced upon them. We know the cane farmers wouldn't care too much about the effect on engines as long as they're making money from it so it's understandable that they are lobbying.

Besides, it's not done with yet. I think most people would be happy with mandatory labelling so they could avoid using it if they choose to.

Trusting independant operators has no doubt become an issue also but they brought that upon themselves IMO. Their exposure (some of them) as dodgy operators is one good thing that has come out of this.

naishou

Consumer choice good. Consumer brainwashing bad.

Muz

Yes I agree however I don't see consumers as being brainless. I don't think it's quite that black and white.

There's been enough coverage of this issue to make most people aware that the potential for harm can be minimised by capping the level used. I think the issue here is one of trust. If it has been proven that certain operators were using 20% mix or more (as some NSW operators were found to be doing) then it becomes a matter of consumer education.

I think if anyone can be blamed for the failure of consumers to take it up it is the people who have broken their trust rather than the oil companies. While it's obvious that oil companies could possibly suffer from it's introduction I don't recall seeing any propaganda from them yet in this regard.

Aussie_ITR-0239

My GF's car - 1995 Nissan NX Coupe - recently began to stall or hesitate at random situations and for no reason.

I found out that she had filled up at an 'independant' servo (she's not picky to who or where, just whatever is nearby/cheap when she needs fuel) and I reckon it was dodgy petrol, either with too much ethanol or just plain crap!!

We ran the car down to near empty and filled it with Optimax.... wouldn't you know, NO more problems!! Advised her not to use 'independants' again, to occationally run a tank of PULP-98 through her system (to keep the fuel system clean) and to stick to the NAME brands; as they can't risk the bad publicity.

Definitely support the introduction of servos 'having' to display contents of their fuel and imposing BIG fines on those dodgy bastards that dilute it etc!!