Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Shortly after the introduction of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) into the Jamaican market in June this year, the demand was sluggish. However, recently, there has been an increase in the number of persons utilising the product at service stations at which it is available.

"The pick-up was slow, but it has moved and people like it," said Ixes-Roy Thomas of RUBiS Energy Jamaica, Jamaica's Shell licencee.

Thomas admitted that persons have been complaining about the price, and many persons would like to see the cost in line with that of regular diesel.

"It runs between $7 and $8 more than the regular diesel. We are trying to keep the product as economically priced as much as we can. The product is priced based on the Petrojam pricing, and we price in line with market pricing," Thomas said.

At the outset of the ULSD project, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell, during his budget presentation in April, had said that two Petcom service stations - Dunrobin in St Andrew and Portmore Parkway in St Catherine - would be offering the fuel. Since then, at least 12 more sites across the island have been offering USLD, with more slated to come on board shortly.

ULSD is a cleaner, more refined form of diesel fuel. The development of this type of diesel is aimed at lowering harmful exhaust fumes, which pose a threat to the environment.

In addition, ULSD is useful in protecting a vehicle's engine, reducing wear and tear and allowing motorists to get better performance from their engines.