Fuel additives good for motorists - government

A pump attendant fuels a car. Fuel additives are recommended because they keep engines clean. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

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Limits. The additives, however, should not alter fuel parameters, be fit for use and not be harmful for vehicle systems and environment.

Kampala. The ministry of Energy has said the use of additives to enhance the performance of fuel is good for the industry because it ensures quality.
This was revealed by the permanent secretary ministry of Energy in a speech read for him by Rev Frank Tukwasibwe, the commissioner, Petroleum Supply Department, at the Energy ministry during the launch of Total Excellium, a new generation fuel by Total Uganda. The product is developed by the use of additives.
“Additives are materials or substances added to fuel to impart or enhance certain desirable quantities or to suppress undesirable properties or characteristics of fuel,” Rev Tukwasibwe said.
However, in order for them to be used, he said the additives should not alter fuel parameters, be fit for use and not be harmful for vehicle systems, environment and human health.
The ministry of Energy is mandated to ensure that fuel additives are monitored and controlled through quality control and assurance testing protocols before their clearance for use in petroleum products.
“Prior to this launch, the ministry analysed Total Excellium additives and confirmed that it met all the five requirements and standards of fuel from the ministry of Energy,” Rev Tukwasibwe said.
Total Uganda’s managing director, Mr Florentin de Loppinot, said the additivated fuel formulation has been optimised with specific detergent additives to clean the engine’s vital components and keep them clean over time.
Speaking to Daily Monitor during a tour of the fuel testing labs, the Vivo Energy managing director, Mr Hans Paulsen, said additivation is a process that improves the benefits of a base fuel for instance cleaning detergents which are essential for every motorist. He said Shell has been offering additivated fuels for 20 years, including Formula Shell, Diesel Extra and Unleaded Extra.
“All fuel is the same when it reaches Mombasa Port. However, what differentiates it is the products added to enhance its use,” he said.
Mr Paulsen said when the imported fuel gets to their depot, it is additivated to give it extra benefits.
“Fuel differentiation is, however, a more advanced stage that delivers unique benefits to meet specific motorist needs. This is why we have Shell V-Power for a race driver and Shell FuelSave Diesel for a truck driver,” he said.
Mr Paul Kaganzi, a mechanic, said it is a good thing that additivated fuels are increasingly available because this means vehicle engines are kept clean and in good performance.
He, however, added that to get maximum benefit, a motorist should choose a specific fuel to meet their driving needs.
Differentiated fuels are given special formula to deliver these benefits. For instance Ferrari recommends

Fuel industry
The fuel industry in Uganda has grown over the years increasing its significance to the Ugandan economy through paying taxes, employing people and enabling other businesses to operate and grow. Today, the industry has more than 37 players, 877 retail sites with a total market of more than 1.5 million litres per annum.