BANGKOK, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Department of Energy Business said on Monday that it has partnered with 13 car brands, five motorcycle makers, and seven fuel retailers to promote wider use of E20 gasoline, as the government seeks to cut reliance on imported crude amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
Thailand currently has sufficient ethanol production capacity to support wider adoption of E20, with more than 4 million cars and about 80 percent of motorcycles already able to run on the fuel blend, which is priced below standard gasoline, the department said in a statement.
However, E20 sales average just 5.88 million liters a day, 18 percent of gasoline demand, held back by consumer uncertainty over vehicle compatibility and misconceptions about engine performance, said Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of the department.
Automakers will publish compatible model lists and confirm E20 causes no engine damage, Sarawut said, adding that the agency maintains strict quality oversight from refineries to retail stations, giving consumers assurance on fuel quality.
Supporting domestically produced biofuels benefits consumers through cost savings and bolsters the Southeast Asian nation's agricultural sector by adding value to farm produce and stabilizing crop prices, he told a press conference.
Officials also called on motorists to switch to E20 to help the country navigate the global energy crisis stably and sustainably and urged the public to help spread accurate information about the fuel's benefits. ■