Energy agency urges public to switch to E10

The Philippines’ Department of Energy urged the public to shift from fossil fuel-based gasoline products at the pump to ethanol blends. Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said that the motoring public should consider switching to 10% ethanol blended (E10) gasoline products at refilling stations, as this would not only help vehicle performance, but the country’s economy as well. This will translate to better performance, reduced carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions, which, in most cases, would improve fuel economy. It is mandatory for 5% of Philippine oil companies’ total gasoline sales to come from bioethanol, although purely hydrocarbon-based gasoline products are still available at the pump, together with E10. (February 9, 2009)