Thailand to impose E20 mandate in 2008

Thailand announced plans to mandate E20 blended gasoline in 2008. Thailand’s fuel imports fell 3.7 percent this year to $18.5 billion as the previous E10 mandate took hold.

Last week, the Thai government reduced the price of B5 biodiesel to stimulate demand. The price of B5 biodiesel has been reduced as part of a government-backed plan to encourage more motorists to use the alternative fuel. B5, a mixture of 5% biofuel and 95% high-speed diesel, will now cost 3.18 per gallon, 3 cents less than petroleum diesel. The price reduction was accomplished by reducing taxes on blended biodiesel.

Recently, Thailand increased its biofuel reserve mandate to cope with a 27% increase in E10 usage by Thai motorists. E10 now accounts for 25% of total Thai gasoline consumption. Biodiesel blend consumption has risen 8% in the past month. The Thai energy ministry also said the new reserve mandate would absorb excess ethanol production capacity. Annual consumption of ethanol has increased to 48 million gallons, but it still lags behind the annual production of 86 million gallons.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Thailand to change car specifications for January conversion to E20

Thailand's Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand said that his department was drafting quality specs for car makers to convert to E20. Earlier this month, Thailand announced plans to mandate E20 blen...

China expected to impose 5 percent biodiesel blend mandate by end of 2007; oil price hikes a worry

China is drafting biodiesel blend standards and is expected to impose a 5 percent blending target by the end of the year, according to reports, and is looking at potential target dates for a 10 percen...

Japan to increase ethanol imports from Thailand as country moves on E3 mandate

In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that it will increase ethanol imports from Thailand under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, and in support of Japan's i...

Japan to increase ethanol imports from Thailand as country moves on E3 mandate

In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that it will increase ethanol imports from Thailand under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, and in support of Japan's i...

Thailand increases biofuel reserves, citing 27% ethanol usage increase and production glut

Thailand has increased its biofuel reserve mandate to cope with the new B2 mandate which takes effect in April 2008, and a 27% increase in E10 usage by Thai motorists. E10 now accounts for 25% of tota...

Malaysia to impose B5 palm oil biodiesel mandate in 2010

In Malaysia, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said that the country will impose a B5 palm oil biodiesel mandate effective in February 2010. The mandate is unusua...