THE Government of Zimbabwe has reportedly commissioned a private company to conduct trials to determine the appropriate ethanol blending ratios of diesel and assess compatibility with local vehicle engines.
The research will also evaluate the long-term viability of ethanol-diesel fuel systems under local conditions.
According to State media, Green Fuel Zimbabwe has been picked to do the spooky experiment.
Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo told State media diesel blending was underway, although the authorities had not yet set implementation timelines.
“We have started experiments and these are being conducted by Green Fuel,” Moyo was quoted saying.
“At the moment, there are no timelines on when this will begin. However, as I have said, trials have begun and the results will then determine the way forward. The new sugarcane plantations in Chisumbanje, Mwenezi and Chiredzi will also help support the fuel blending projects.”
Government says it is toying with the potentially dangerous experiment that could result in irreparable engine damage in a bid to cushion consumers from spiralling fuel costs, reduce import dependence and shield the economy from global oil price shocks due to the United States-Iran war that has destabilised the Middle East.
Blending fuel in Zimbabwe has for years been confined to petrol and last month the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) increased the blending ratio from E5 to E20 to further allow reduction in pump prices.
What a load of rubbish!! That primary school-like experiment will not work! A lot goes into producing a diesel engine and one cannot just wake up the morning after consuming lots of alcohol the night before and say they want to blend diesel and ethanol for use in vehicles.
I wouldn’t be surprised if people talking about this have tried running petrol engines on kachasu and failed. And they didn’t tell anyone.