Fuel quality regulations

Petrol and diesel are the main fuel types used for road transport in New Zealand. Combustion of each fuel type produces different air pollutants for each kilometre travelled, although other factors affecting emissions include:

• engine size
• maintenance
• age

The proportion of heavy diesel vehicles in the fleet is particularly important because they emit disproportionately more PM₁₀ and NO_X than light vehicles.

Good quality vehicle fuel is critical because it:

• reduces emissions from existing vehicles in the fleet
• enables new vehicles, with lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency, to enter the fleet.

Key milestones in New Zealand vehicle fuel improvements include:

• 1996 - Banning lead in petrol allowing catalytic converter technology
• 2004 - Reducing sulphur in diesel to 500ppm and benzene in petrol to 3% to improve existing emissions
• 2006 - Reducing sulphur in diesel to 50ppm and benzene in petrol to 1% allowing Euro 4/IV diesel and Euro 3/III petrol vehicles
• 2008 - Reducing sulphur in petrol to 50ppm allowing Euro 4/IV petrol vehicles
• 2009 - Reducing sulphur in diesel to 10ppm allowing Euro 5/V diesel vehicles

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is responsible for administering the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011 (external link) (the Regulations). The Regulations provide comprehensive fuel specifications for petrol, petrol/ethanol blends, diesel, biodiesel, and diesel/biodiesel blends.

MBIE is currently reviewing aspects of the current regulations (external link) to ensure New Zealand continues to be aligned with overseas specifications and technological advances. Submissions closed at the end of 2015 and a decision is due in 2016.

For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz.