When they make their next gasoline, Quebec motorists could see that ethanol levels increased from 10 to 15%.
Oil can offer gasoline with 15% ethanol thanks to a rules on the Quebec petroleum products which entered into force in 2023. This means that oils are ahead of their transition when they had until 2030 to reach this rate.
Quebec is one of Canada’s last provinces to climb its ethanol levels. The Maritimes and Ontario have already applied this standard for a few years.
“Models from 2001 to today are capable of accepting 15%ethanol,” explains the spokesperson for caa car, Jesse Caron. There is no marked difference between the two essences.
“The number of vehicles that could be affected is minimal.”
Photo provided by CAA
Among these are exotic vehicles and vintage cars. Their owners will have homework to do before showing up in a petrol station.
“They can check the book of their vehicle where they can check the parameters that are accepted,” adds Caron. If they do not find information as may be the case in vintage cars, they must have confirmations so as not to be trouble. ”
At the pump, petrol stations will have to indicate ethanol levels with a sticker as it was in the past. When passing the Journal With two stations from Blainville, these tights were still not in place.
Less km?
Oils seem to want to speed up the transition while they sell petrol at 15% of ethanol two under cheaper than that of 10% to distributors according to a source near the industry. However, they still have the option of choosing between the two products until the end of 2026.
Will the pump price experience significant variations in the coming weeks? Not really according to the Expert Dan Mcteague.
“Motorists will however realize that they will make less kilometers with the same number of liters of petrol,” says the president of the Canadian association for affordable essence. Instead of doing 100 km with 7.5 liters, it could increase to 8.5 or even 9. ”
By the way, he demolished a myth concerning ethanol.
“Those who think we help Canadian farmers are mistaken,” said McTeague. The majority of our ethanol comes from the United States.
“When you look at everything in its entirety, it’s not that good to reduce greenhouse gases.”
Small petrol engines, like those found in mowers, could experience medium -term trouble if they are not well maintained.
Photo Mathieu Boulay, Montreal Journal
What about small engines?
Tools with small engines such as mowers and chainsaws will however be monitored. Essence will have higher acidity.
“The engines will not jump,” explains Marc-Olivier Groulx by Cloutier Pro Mini-motor. However, it is not very good for the drying of the carburetor in the medium term.
“To help the engine, you can add stabilizer. We also sell ethanol -free gasoline. ”