Fuel Additives Under Fire | Aditivos bajo sospecha

By Gigavision, Eju.tv:

“If vehicles are damaged after additives, YPFB must disappear,” says former minister Ríos

He also proposed that Bolivia should move toward opening the fuel market to end the state monopoly. According to Ríos, within one to two years the country should have different fuel brands so consumers do not depend on a single supplier.

Former Minister of Hydrocarbons Álvaro Ríos stated this Friday that drivers should not worry about the incorporation of additives in gasoline, as long as the fuel meets technical specifications. However, he warned that if vehicle damage continues to occur despite the application of these components, the state oil company YPFB “should disappear.”

“I believe the lines will end this weekend. From what I have been told, I believe YPFB’s word; but if the lines do not end across the country this weekend, if on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of next week vehicles continue to be damaged, then we will be in serious trouble,” said the former authority and hydrocarbons expert.

Ríos explained that the additives planned for incorporation into the fuel are intended to clean possible impurities that may have remained in engines from the use of previous fuels, and therefore should not cause damage to vehicles.

“If the gasoline comes within specification, nothing should happen. Additives help clean impurities from the fuel system. But if vehicles continue to be damaged nonetheless, then YPFB has to disappear,” he maintained.

The former minister also questioned the time it took authorities to react to complaints about fuel quality, noting that the problem lasted several weeks, which could have affected several vehicles.

He also suggested that Bolivia should move toward opening the fuel market to end the state monopoly. According to Ríos, within one to two years the country should have different fuel brands so consumers do not depend on a single supplier.

“When a monopoly exists, there is no option but to accept the gasoline or diesel that monopoly offers. Bolivia should have different fuel brands,” he said.

On the other hand, the former minister clarified that the color of gasoline does not determine its quality, and he asked drivers and mechanics to avoid speculation about that aspect.

According to information from YPFB, in a first phase a “shock treatment” with additives will be applied to imported fuel. Subsequently, after approximately three weeks, the dosage will be reduced and these compounds will remain in the gasoline to help keep engines clean.

Among the additives used are antioxidants, which prevent gasoline from degrading over time, and detergents intended to clean the engine and the components of the fuel system. However, specialists clarify that these substances do not substitute for the quality of the fuel.

On March 1, the incorporation of a batch of 17 tons of additives into fuels was reported, amid persistent complaints from drivers about the alleged poor quality of gasoline in the country.

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