BANGKOK — The Department of Energy Business encourages Thai motorists to use biodiesel B10 and B20 that can help reduce smog by 3.5-25%.
NantikaThangsuphanich, director-general of the department, said biodiesel could effectively relieve the air pollution because emission from vehicles caused 70% of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter (PM2.5).
B10 could cut PM2.5 by 3.5-13.5% and B20 20-25%, she said.
“The consumption of B10 and B20 helps reduce PM2.5 and supports palm growers. In 2020 it will consume about 2-2.2 million tons of crude palm oil that is two-thirds of all yields and help increase the price of raw palm nuts by at least 4 baht per kilogram,” MsNantika said.
According to her, six oil refineries of Thai Oil, Bangchak Corp, Star Petroleum Refining, PTT Global Chemical, Esso and IRPC will invest 50 billion baht to improve the quality standard of their products from Euro 4 to Euro 5. The improvement is required to be completed within Jan 1, 2024 to reduce smog.
MsNantika predicted oil consumption this year would increase by 2% from last year to 132 million liters a day.