Fuel efficiency in South Africa – the minister’s plan and my suggestions..
I am sure most of you have read below article or heard about this on the news.. I have seen and read that this has been implemented already in Spain and that (most) people are following the new reduced speed limits etc.. There is a report that has been given on this already.. Follow this link (http://live.kyero.com/2011/03/16/does-the-reduced-speed-limit-in-spain-save-fuel/)..
As regards South Africa however, I have a different take of this issue..
In my opinion, there are more definite methods of reducing the country’s fuel consumption and requirements.. DRASTICALLY IMPROVE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.. While certain measures have been taken already, it is too little taking too much time.. The coverage areas of the public transportation needs to be increased..
Doing this will also provide multiple benefits to the community and country as below :
- Ease the “individual” fuel requirement because people would then use the public transportation and depend less on their own modes of transport
- Increase the “individual’s” saving capability and capacity
- Ease the traffic “congestion” on our roads (specially Joburg)
- Reduce accidents on the road
- Improve the life of the highways and other Metro roads by reducing the wear and tear
- With the work that will be undertaken to improve the public transportation system, there will be job opportunities created as well
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Minister probes speed curbs to save fuel
By: Sapa2011-05-10 16:33Johannesburg – Energy Minister Dipuo Peters has asked for an investigation into the possibility of reducing speed limits as one of the ways of increasing fuel efficiency while prices escalate.
“I have instructed my team to determine the level at which a reduction of the speed limit may be necessary. This will include consultation and concurrence of the department of transport,” she said in a statement issued by her office.
Her spokesperson Ndivhuwo Khangale said: “Nothing concrete has been finalised,” of the idea which evokes the rationing of the 1970s when anti-apartheid sanctions limited fuel supplies in South Africa.
Peters said last week’s increase, which saw fuel prices hover around the R10 a litre mark, had the potential of disrupting economic growth and could cause major disruptions in countries that have not had the currency strength to counter the increases.
In the last two years, crude oil prices have quadrupled from around $30 a barrel.
According to Agence France Presse, New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, dropped 63 cents to $101.92 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for June delivery lost 16 cents to $115.74, in Tuesday afternoon London deals.
“I am concerned about the impact on the ordinary farmer and the impact paraffin price increases have on the poorest of the poor,” Peters said.
Three factors beyond the government’s control influence prices, she explained.
“Whilst the loss of Libya’s volumes of crude oil supply has been made up by others, the quality of Libyan crude is of such a nature that it cannot be easily replaced. It is easier to process and as such its absence in the market adds to the complexity in crude oil refinery diets.
“Secondly, the speculators in the market do take advantage of prevailing challenges and add a premium of their own.
“The third is a more worrying reason and one that leaves us no option but to implement fuel efficiency measures. This is the demand for crude oil which has just about reached levels last seen in 2008 and is rising.”
Production facilities may find it difficult to keep up with the demand and this will inevitably result in sustained high prices, even when the conflicts have relaxed.
She urged people to consider whether they really need to drive somewhere, or whether they can walk and go to work with a lift club.
She questioned speeding away from traffic lights and recommended not using air conditioning during winter, as this could add 8% to fuel consumption.
South Africa is not the only country grappling with fuel prices. Some of the proposals in the UK include fuel duty stabilisers and the granting of energy credits which can be used on vehicles or in the home.
Peters said South Africa’s fuel taxes are already relatively low and among the lowest in the G20.
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