Negative B20 Effects Foreshadow B30 Problems: Bus Operators

(Jakarta Post) Bus operators have complained that 20 percent blended biodiesel (B20) has caused their engines to run poorly, providing a cautionary message for future developments as Indonesia envisions a future with unblended pure biodiesel to fuel vehicles across the country.

Young Indonesian Autobus Entrepreneurs Association (IPOMI) head Kurnia Lesani Adnan told tempo.co that the biodiesel mixture has left sediment in engine filters, worsening performance. Bus companies have to add extra filters to cope with the effects.

Considering B20's drawbacks, he fears that the mandatory B30 could be even worse.

"In principle, we support the government's program. However, please pay attention to B30's impact [on engines]," said Kurnia, adding that brand holder agents have yet to honor the warranty over the mix's negative impact.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had urged stakeholders to accelerate implementation of the government's policy on the mandatory use of crude palm oil (CPO) biodiesel blends from 20 to 30 percent by January 2020 and to 50 percent blended diesel (B50) by the end of 2020.

The Agriculture Ministry has even gone as far as trying out the use of a 100-percent biodiesel (B100) fuel that uses fatty acid methyl ester from CPO in April 2019. READ MORE

Excerpt from China.org: However, a number of people have complained about the formation of gel in the fuel tanks of their cars after using B30.

In addition, some people said cars would be difficult to ignite in such cold areas as Dieng plateu in Central Java province, where the temperature could reach 10 degrees Celsius.

In response to such an issue, the B30 technical team from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources contacted a number of car brand representatives, including PT. Isuzu Astra Motor Indonesia, PT Hino Motor Manufacturing Indonesia and the Indonesian Automotive Industries Association (GAIKINDO), to discuss the question.

Prototype & Test Dept. Head of PT. Isuzu Astra Motor Indonesia Harmoko Setyawan said that until now there are no complaints from Isuzu consumers regarding the use of B30.

Isuzu vehicle components related to fuel line have met biodiesel use standards since 2016.

"We will coordinate more intensively with engineers in all Isuzu workshops to minimize the possible impacts," Harmoko said.

He explained that the company does not worry about the impact of the use of B30 considering the results of B30 cold start-ability test in cold areas like Dieng had showed good results. Thus, people should be more confident that using B30 will not cause significant problems to their car engines.

Meanwhile, Product License & Certification head at PT. Hino Motor Manufacturing Indonesia Andi Tauji has similar views, saying that so far there has been no complaints from its consumers related to the use of B30.

An official at the UD Product Management, Catur Satyawira, noted that the use of B30 on UD Trucks does not change the maintenance schedule.

To date there is no complaint from UD Trucks customers about using B30 in cold temperature areas. "In accordance with tests conducted jointly with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, UD Truck's engines have no problems," Satyawira said. READ MORE