The Egyptian Organisation for Standards and Quality (EOS) has held a number of meetings with the Transportation Division of the Chamber of Engineering Industries to develop a new fuel standard and octane ratios for gasoline used in the Egyptian market.
Samir Allam, deputy head of the Transportation Division of the Chamber of Engineering Industries, said that the EOS has prepared new specifications for gasoline 80, 92, and 95, as well as diesel to modify octane ratings to be compatible with Euro 4 and 5 petrol-powered vehicles.
He added that a commission has been formed consisting of some representatives of the Transportation Division and the EOS to formulate the new fuel standards and solve the fuel problems experienced in some European-made vehicles recently. The commission would also find a solution to technical faults caused by the high rates of octane and lead in fuel products in the local market.
Karim Al-Nagar, chairperson of Kayan—the official agent of Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen, and Audi in Egypt—said that Volkswagen Group has decided to ban exporting its commercial vehicles to Egypt. Volkswagen’s diesel-powered cars have a lead rate of 1,700 BB, while Egypt imports diesel and mixes it with other liquids which increase the lead rate from 1,700 BB to more than 4,000 BB, which harms Volkswagen’s car engines.
On the other hand, a large number of Mercedes-Benz customers complained in 2014 about the quality of fuel used in Egypt and its impact on their vehicles. In response, Mercedes-Benz Egypt published a statement on its official Facebook page regarding the issue.
In its statement, Mercedes said that it examined the fuel used in Egypt and found that the octane rate is less than 85, while the standard rate is no less than 92 or 95 depending on the car model. The company affirmed that it has contacted the concerned Egyptian authorities, such as the Ministry of Petroleum, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), the General Administration of Supply Police and the Consumer Protection Authority. The authorities promised to take legal action against petrol stations that prove to mix fuel with octane because it is considered commercial fraud.
