In Botswana, leaded fuel was phased out in December 2004 although energy officials say the completion period of phasing out leaded fuel totally will only be realised by early next year. Leaded fuel is banned in many countries world-wide.
An official at the department of energy affairs at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs said the changes are already at an advanced stage in Botswana to phase out the leaded fuel completely.
The official revealed that in Francistown, leaded fuel tanks have already been cleaned, while in Gaborone one tank has been cleaned with plans underway to finish the cleaning of the others completely. A meeting was held in July this year where SADC member states’ representatives explained their progress. Proponents of CFP said one of the major benefits of the programme is that by not using lead as an additive in petrol, it will allow an increase in usage of cars with catalytic converters, which can cut emissions by upto 90 percent. Equally, it is expected that the universal implementation of CFP will lead to a reduction in sulphur emissions. In a one-day event at Zwartkops Raceway outside Pretoria, that culminated in journalists having a spin on Ferrari racing cars, Shell officials explained the advantages of unleaded fuel, especially Shell V-Power over leaded fuel. The officials revealed that Shell supports the drive to remove lead and lower sulphur in the fuels. The fuel giant said its support for clean air is found in its fledging Shell V-Power that has been in South Africa and Botswana since 2000. Shell officials added that the unleaded fuel is one of the best selling fuels so far in the region. Shell officials said the move towards unleaded fuels is to support governments in the region to lower sulphur in the fuels as required in the clean fuel programmes. Already, Shell International has managed to phase out leaded fuel in 50 markets throughout the world.The corporation’s preparations for cleaner fuels includes the construction of a refinery in Durban, South Africa. The refinery, which is a result of a partnership with Sapref, commenced preparations for cleaner fuels in 1999.
“Shell is working to reduce emissions globally and in Southern Africa and also to give customers best products. This is an opportunity to provide better value to customers,” said Raymond Abraham, Shell Fuel product manager (South Africa). At the same time, Abraham revealed that his company has also embarked on customer education as part of sensitising customers about the phasing out of lead and the benefits of unleaded fuel. It is estimated that about 95 percent of vehicles in Southern Africa will now use the fuel. For closed vehicles that cannot use the unleaded fuel, Shell says that it will make Shell Ultra available to them. Shell quoting motor manufacturers says that all cars made after 1996 and most made after 1990 can use unleaded fuels like Shell V-Power.
It is expected that V-Power, which is said to be the leader in the market and receiving a lot of positive response from motorists is especially formulated to clean engines. The unleaded fuel according to Shell officials dissolves and washes away performance-robbing deposits. As Wayne Kingwill, Shell Southern Africa retail regional manager put it, “V-Power unleaded gives you power at your command”.
