BRANCH HEAD, LIQUID FUELS BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17A OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 FOR VARIATION OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (PETROL) DETERMINATION 2024 AND THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (ETHANOL E85) DETERMINATION 2024
- VP RACING FUELS PTY LTD (EXPIRY 30 JUNE 2025)
I, Jennifer Anne, Branch Head, Liquid Fuels Branch, delegate of the Minister, provide the following information concerning my decision to grant an approval under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act).
Name of approval holder
VP Racing Fuels Pty Ltd (ABN 55 099 469 799)
Period of operation
The approval comes into force on the date below and remains in force until 30 June 2025.
Details of the approval
This approval varies the fuel standard for petrol as set out in the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 (Petrol Determination), so that fuels containing:
- a maximum diisopropyl ether (DIPE) content of up to 25% v/v
- a maximum methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) content of up to 55% v/v
- a maximum olefins content of up to 55% v/v
- a maximum oxygen content of up to 9.50% m/m
is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the Petrol Determination in respect of the supply of specialised racing fuels until 30 June 2025.
This approval varies the fuel standard for ethanol as set out in the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024 (E85 Determination), so that fuels containing:
- a maximum ethers-5 or more C atoms content of up to 20% v/v
is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the E85 Determination in respect of the supply of specialised racing fuels until 30 June 2025.
Summary of reasons for the approval
Having consulted with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee as required by section 24A of the Act, I grant the approval as provided for in section 15 of the Act for the following reasons:
a) The protection of the environment
The fuels subject to this approval are supplied and used in small quantities for legitimate motor sport activities, the higher levels of ethanol, olefins and MTBE are not expected to impact significantly on ambient air quality.
The consequences of even a small amount of MTBE or ETBE contaminating freshwater sources can be significant. It is a standard condition of section 13 approvals for fuel containing MTBE, ETBE, or DIPE above the limit specified in the petrol standard that the fuel not be permitted in activities occurring on freshwater lakes and waterways.
The fuel is expensive relative to normal fuels, giving a disincentive for waste, misuse or spillage.
It is therefore not expected that permitting the supply of the fuels covered by this approval for legitimate motor sport activities would have an irreversible effect on the environment.
b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety
Exposure to certain substances in petrol can be toxic. The risks associated with exposure to racing fuels may be higher than for petrol because of the additional substances contained in them. A variety of negative health effects can occur, depending upon the substance, the level, and duration of exposure. At venues that use racing fuels, exposure may extend to drivers, team members, race officials, spectators, and the immediate environment.
Specialist racing fuels are supplied in sealed containers of up to 200 litres capacity and are used in small quantities, predominantly in off-road activities, and in widely dispersed locations. Safe handling information will be provided with the fuel. The volume of fuel to be supplied under an approval is limited. Under these conditions, occupational and public health and safety risks resulting from short-term/intermittent use of these fuels will be minimised.
c) The interests of consumers
Specialist racing fuels meet the needs of a niche market for specific categories of motor racing. The consumers using these fuels seek the performance and operability characteristics provided by these fuels. Without them, motor sport competitors may not be able to operate their vehicles effectively with currently available technology. VP Racing Fuels’ application makes available to consumers a range of unleaded fuels for use in motorcycle, circuit, and drag racing.
d) The impact on economic and regional development
Many racing venues are located outside major population areas. Motor and water sports events provide an ongoing financial benefit to these regional communities. A decision to disallow the continued and controlled supply of specialist racing fuels would have an adverse effect on national and regional motor sport competitions and the economic benefits that flow from them.
………………………………………………………………………….
Jennifer Anne
Branch Head, Liquid Fuels Branch
25 June 2024