It’s fair to say there is now a growing urgency to reduce air pollution not just in Australia, but around the world. So much so, that in 2016, an independent review of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 found that the regulation of the quality of fuel supplied in Australia had fortunately led to a measurable reduction in the level of pollutants and emissions issuing from the consumption of fuel.

To maintain and further improve on these health benefits, the Australian Government has now committed to amending the act which is due to sunset (cease to have an effect) in 2019.

Further to this, the Department of the Environment and Energy has released a discussion paper on improving fuel standards, and are seeking stakeholder submissions on the proposed policy amendments. A breakdown of the suggestions has been broken down into four elements:

• Motor vehicle emissions and the impact they have on human health and climate change
• Curbing air pollution in urban Australia
• Improving fuel quality to reduce the level of noxious emissions, with particular focus on cleaner diesel
• Advanced vehicle technology and the quality of fuel required for them to perform effectively

Better fuel = cleaner air

One of the main points addressed in the paper discusses the outcomes associated with better fuel quality, reduced noxious and greenhouse gas emissions.

Through access to higher quality fuel, Australians –and Australia itself – will experience a wide range of benefits including:

1. Improved air quality and health: High-quality fuel makes for cleaner air and less exposure to harmful pollutants. Currently, the OECD estimates that there are roughly 740 preventable deaths per year in Australia due to ozone and PM2.5 – a fine particle matter which arises from vehicle emissions, which when inhaled by humans, passes straight to the lungs and even the bloodstream. This is turn will lower unnecessary deaths, illnesses and health costs associated with low-quality fuel and noxious emissions.
2. Access to better vehicle technology: While new cars in Australia will need to meet Euro 6 standards by July 2018, there is slower movement on making it the requirement for heavy vehicles. With access to innovative emission control systems and buying only fuel efficient engines, we will help to meet Australia’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

Improving diesel fuel quality with Final Filtered Diesel^®

As stated throughout the report, the issue of diesel cleanliness and fuel contamination are not new. In fact, the latest diesel engine technology requires cleaner fuel than ever before to maintain smooth, long-lasting performance. 

Bulk Fuel Australia is now offering Final Filtered Fuel^® – a single-pass filter unit, created by filtration experts HYDAC, which removes small particles and frees water from diesel, which results in a cleanliness level significantly higher than the current Fuel Industry standards. Our Final Filtered Diesel^® partner, HYDAC, completed diesel fuel cleanliness testing on our product in 2016 and found that particles were reduced by 50%. By fitting vehicles with Final Filtered Diesel^®, plant and machinery owners will experience increased power and reliability, extended engine and component life, and overall reduced emissions.

Our Final Filtered Diesel^® is currently being installed across Australia. To get bulk fuel delivery to your fuel tanks and equipment, get in contact with Bulk Fuel Australia today on 1300 579 990.