Experts: Switching to higher RON petrol not viable - The Star

PETALING JAYA: The proposal to replace the existing octane ratings of petrol – research octane number (RON) 92 and 97 – with RON 95 and 99 may not be viable, said industry experts.

According to a senior manager of an oil company, who declined to be named, the new plan will not be a positive move as it will make no difference to the current classes of petrol.

“Most cars now run on RON 97 and it doesn’t make sense for luxury car owners to fill up with RON 95 or pay more for RON 99, which may be less subsidised or even not,” he said.

“Just to work out the math and make sure I do not pay a lot more, I could easily fill my tank with 70% of RON 95 and 30% RON 99 and get the same quality as that of the existing RON 97,” he added.

At present, RON 92 (sold at RM1.88 per litre) is used mainly by motorcycles while other vehicles run on RON 97 (RM1.92 per litre).

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad had said on Saturday that the proposed system was to have the petrol subsidy targeted at those who need it.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/7/nation/20870666&sec=nation]