Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has started receiving the high grade diesel from Raxaul, Barauni and Bathanaha -- the three major import points that fulfills some 80 percent of the total diesel requirement of the country -- from Wednesday.[break]
“The rest of the supply depots of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) too will start delivering the Euro III diesel by the end of June,” said NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Dhungel. He informed Republica that NOC will gradually start to distribute the fuel of higher standard and will completely replace the existing Euro II diesel with Euro III supplies within the next two months.
According to product specification, the diesel of Euro III standard contains low sulphur than existing Euro II diesel that contains 0.5 percent sulphur. This upgraded quality will substantially reduce carbon monoxide and harmful particulates, thereby contributing in containing environmental pollution.
Most importantly, it will prevent undue wear and tear of fuel pump and engine, increase engine efficiency and deliver better mileage, which will ultimately lower the cost for consumers.
The upgraded fuel will bring cheers to automobiles dealers as well, because it will enable them bring in latest brands of vehicles with sophisticated engines. So far, leading automobiles manufacturers were denying the dealers´ request to introduce latest brands in Nepal, mainly referring to the low quality fuel. They cited that inferior fuel quality in Nepal do not match with engine to yield promised efficiency and ensure longevity -- something which will erode their brand image.
All these benefits, however, will come with added cost, because IOC has notified that the prices of Euro III diesel will be slightly expensive than the regular diesel that NOC was importing so far.
NOC officials, however, did not disclose the extent by which Euro III diesel will be expensive than Euro II supplies. Sources said NOC was yet to negotiate the rate with the IOC, nonetheless, they viewed that the new supply could be expensive than existing diesel by around Rs 2 per liter.
The change will raise the losses for NOC because the government has not been sensibly practicing timely adjustment of domestic fuel prices. But NOC officials expressed the hope that consumers will not resist the due rise in prices, especially given the benefits of Euro III fuel.
High-octane petrol in few months: NOC
Nepal Oil Corporation has said that petrol consumers will still need to wait for the next few months to enjoy high octane fuel of Euro III standard.
Referring to the existing refinery up-scaling schedule of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), NOC officials said that IOC has committed to supply the 91-Octane petrol, replacing the existing supply of 88-Octane petrol by October end this year.
They indicated that the Nepali consumers might not need to wait that long, but did not disclose the period by when that would start high-octane petrol.
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