ENERGY Minister Phillip Paulwell said the new Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), which was yesterday introduced to the Jamaican market, is essential in preserving diesel engines with advanced emission controls as well as protecting the environment.

“The ULSD is expected to preserve our environment and make our vehicles last longer as sulphur contains pollutants. So lower sulphur means less exhaust and cleaner air,” Paulwell told the audience at the special ceremony to launch the fuel at Petcom Dunrobin service station in St Andrew. “A number of our SUVs have the advance emission controls, so the introduction of the fuel makes the cost of performance cheaper and mileage good.”

According to Paulwell, the introduction of ULSD is a component of plans to improve the quality of fuel produced and expansion of the Petrojam oil refinery.

“The production is in sync with the refinery expansion from 30,000 barrels per day to 50,000. The upgrade will enable us to improve our liquid petroleum gas, E-10 gasoline, automotive diesel oil, and jet/turbo fuel,” he said.

Paulwell said manufacturers of diesel vehicles with advanced emission controls had refused to sell to car dealers in Jamaica as the fuel was not compatible with the new model vehicles.

The new fuel, with a sulphur content of 15 parts per million, is expected to improve mileage on vehicles and be more beneficial to the environment. It will also see a reduction in exhaust smoke, sulphur emissions, and exhaust odour.

Telroy Morgan, Petrojam’s production manager, told the Jamaica Observer that $120 per litre diesel is in accordance with the refinery’s pricing policy.

“The ULSD will be sold at 10 per cent above the cost of regular diesel. The price is higher but efficiency is greater,” he said.

Wayne Boothe, managing director of Petcom Dunrobin, expressed his gratitude to Petrojam.

“The good thing is motorists were the ones who demanded this because of the effect it has on engines. The diesel is clean and it is better for our health, so I expect a great turnout throughout the week from motorists,” he said.

The ULSD will have a light yellow [straw] colour, while the regular diesel will have a red colour to enable differentiation between the two fuels.

As similar launch was held at Shell Gore Terrace in St Andrew.