There is an outcry among Zimbabwean motorists over
expensive petrol available from local service stations which is giving them far
less mileage with their cars than before.
The outcry has reached a crescendo with drivers complaining
that for example a full tank of petrol that used to take them from Masvingo to
Harare (300km) and back is empty by the time one completes one way of the
journey.
There is also strong concern that the heavily blended fuel
is drastically reducing the lifespan of vehicles by damaging car engines.
Former Zaka Central MP and current NetOne board member
Paradzai Chakona said a few months back, 20 litres of petrol would take him
from Masvingo to Harare in his 2.5litre Toyota Land Cruiser but he now requires
over 35 litres of petrol to do the same trip.
There is strong suspicion that Government has secretly
increased blending of petrol with ethanol from 20% or E20 to 40% (E40) in a bid
to overcome the fuel crisis that has engulfed the country for over a year now.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power
Development, Engineer Gloria Magombo dismissed allegations that Government has
lifted maximum blending levels from 20% to 40%. She however, said that there
was need for the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to investigate the
matter.
ZERA spokesperson, Gladman Njanji said he could not get
clearance from the CEO Eddington
Mazambani whom he said was not present to comment.
A spokesperson for the Association of Transporters in
Masvingo David Masomere said that they are engaging Government to reduce the
price of fuel depending on its quality since the one available has reduced
mileage compared to the E15.
According to The New York Times, E10 petrol gives one 13km
less distance for every 10 litres or 1,3km less for every litre. Efficiency of
the fuel falls even further with the increase in ethanol percentage. The New
York Times also says that fuel performance remarkably drops as ethanol content
is increased and with E85 one gets 3,2km less for every litre or 32km less for
every 10 litres.
Some analysts said in extreme cases, the current petrol can
just do 6km per litre instead of 10 or 12km per litre for an average car. The
situation differs from service station to service station and motorists are
shunning fuel from certain companies as their petrol is the worst.
In Masvingo one service station which cannot be named for
legal reasons has become notorious for what is now nicknamed glorious waters.
Most commuter drivers and motorists who spoke to The Mirror
said they only buy petrol from the Service Station when the town is completely
dry.
“Petrol from the service Station is now called glorius
waters. The petrol doesn’t take you far and I only buy fuel from the service
station when the city is completely dry. I would rather queue for petrol for
days at other service stations than fill my tank at this service station” said
Philip Chings a taxi driver at Simrac Supermarket in the CBD.
Commuter transporters told The Mirror that the blended
petrol is hurting their business.
A commuter driver who declined to be named said he used to
do Gweru-Masvingo trips with 20litres and now he needs almost double the amount
of fuel for the same journey. Gweru to Masvingo via Mvuma is 187km.
“The quality of fuel has deteriorated and we now require
more litres to cover small distances. Petrol from this service station is worse
compared to Total Service Station fuel; I used to buy 20l of fuel which would
reach Harare but now I need more than 35l,” said Chakona.
Thomas Matewe who plies from town to Masvingo’s low density
suburb of Rhodene using a Toyota Noah said a litre of petrol would last him
16km but is now only able to do 10km.
‘’The fuel does not last long, you have to park your car
under a shed because if you park under the sun the fuel will evaporate, the first
bar of fuel can even fall before you travel, it’s useless”, said Chings.
A local driver who pirates from Mucheke to town using a
Nissan Caravan said he used to travel 16km with 1litre but now its 8km per
litre. Masvingo Mirror
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