§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the chemical content is of(a) ultra-low sulphur fuels and (b) other types of fuels used in UK garages. [156351]
§ Mr. HainI have been asked to reply.
Four main types of fuel are sold at UK garages. These are 95 octane unleaded petrol, 97 octane unleaded petrol (superunleaded), lead replacement petrol (LRP) and diesel (DERV).
The technical requirements for these fuels, including chemical composition, are covered by the European Fuels Directive 98/70/EC, as transposed into UK law by the 20W Motor Fuels (Composition and Content) Regulations 1999. The fuels al so meet the requirements of the following British Standards: for 95 octane unleaded, BS EN228:2000, for 97 octane unleaded BS 7800:2000, and for DERV BS EN 590:2000.
Ultra-low sulphur fuels are required to meet the following additional requirements: for petrol of any type listed above a maximum sulphur content of 50ppm as opposed to 150ppm allowed in 98/70/EC, and a maximum aromatics content of 35 per cent. vol. as opposed to 42 per cent. in 98/70/EC, for diesel fuel a maximum sulphur content of 5Oppm as opposed to 350ppm allowed in 98/70/EC, and a maximum density of 835 kg/m3 as opposed to 845 kg/m3. The requirements for autogas (LPG), which is now available at nearly 700 sites around the UK, are covered by 13S EN 589:2000.