500 service stations across UAE ready to switch to unleaded gasoline on January 1

In preparation for the changeover, millions of gallons of unleaded gasoline have been flushed through the storage and distribution systems of all 500 UAE service stations across the country and are now ready to distribute unleaded gasoline. Many of the 750,000 motorists across the country have already started using unleaded gasoline.

Formed to execute the 2001 cabinet decree, a high level UAE Government Committee, headed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, UAE petroleum retailing companies and related Ministries and government bodies, has worked for months to ensure that the nationwide switch to environmentally friendly gasoline is completed smoothly.

In a significant move, the UAE government's decision to reduce the price of the main grade of unleaded gasoline to AED 4 per Gallon, the same price as the main grade of leaded gasoline, has helped motorists carry out the changeover strategy. Although the investment and the cost of producing unleaded gasoline are considerable, the decision not to transfer this cost to the Motorist was taken in view of the positive impact on the environment.

The Federal Government has mandated two grades of unleaded gasoline across the UAE, Special (Khosousi), Green 95 Octane at AED 4 per gallon and Super (Mumtaz), Blue 98 Octane at AED 5 per gallon.

To support the logistical transition the Committee ran a public awareness campaign to educate motorists and service station staff on the change to unleaded gasoline. "The UAE Goes Green public awareness campaign was launched on December 15 by His Excellency Nasser Al Sharhan, Acting Under Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and has run successfully for four weeks. This has comprised a comprehensive Advertising and communications campaign to create awareness and understanding with the general public and the staff of the petroleum retail companies on the changeover.

Dr. Saad Al Numairy, Chairman of The Committee on Public Awareness for the Introduction of Unleaded Gasoline said: "The phase out of leaded and replacement with unleaded gasoline has been a considerable logistical challenge. Many people have worked extremely hard to make the UAE Goes Green campaign a success and we are very pleased with the results achieved so far."

We are very pleased to note that many motorists have already started using unleaded gasoline, which is a testament to the success of the awareness campaign that we are implementing. I would like to applaud each motorist for the way they have responded to this significant environment protection initiative," added Dr. Al Numairy.

Hundreds of thousands of Motorist Guidebooks containing guidelines on the cars compatibility with unleaded gasoline were created and distributed to motorists at each service station throughout the country.

The toll-free green line 8006999 service was also set up to handle questions and queries from motorists and thousands of calls were registered every week. In addition, a www.uaegoesgreen.com website was created which registered considerable on-line interest in the UAE and across the world.

In a positive show of cohesive teamwork, each of the 8,000 service station attendants were provided with a special UAE Goes Green t-shirt and cap.

"Everyone has worked hard to ensure that the transition from leaded the unleaded gasoline use has been smooth. The move to unleaded gasoline is a first step towards a better environment for this and future generations to come and this has been recognised," continued Dr. Al Numairy.

"I can proudly announce that the changeover to unleaded gasoline is a complete operational success. Everyone feels that they are playing their part in improving the future and as the Environmental Advisor for the Federal Environmental Agency, it has long been a personal dream that gasoline induced lead emissions become a thing of the past. This dream is now a reality, it is a truly great moment for the UAE." Dr. Al Numairy concluded

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