EU Leads Top 100 Countries Ranked by Low Sulfur Diesel Limits

HOUSTON, Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Fuel Quality Center (IFQC) has updated its ranking of the top 100 countries based on sulfur limits in on-road diesel – Sweden, Germany and Japan, remained first, second and third, respectively.

With the EU having 100% market penetration of 10 ppm sulfur diesel fuel since Jan. 1, 2009, these nations are still ranked within the top 10. South Korea and Turkey also ranked alongside European countries, tied at 9th.

Jumping seven spots this year were India (53rd), where 350 ppm sulfur diesel was introduced nationwide in April 2010, and Belarus (43rd). Hong Kong rose three spots to 39th, bumping both the United States (41st) and Canada (40th) down a spot.

"The continued reduction of global diesel sulfur solidifies the environmental importance of clean diesel fuel. Today's clean diesel fuels and engines continue to change the perception of diesel as a 'dirty fuel,' and instead continue to make progress reducing on and off-road emissions, improving efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions," according to Frederick L. Potter, vice president, Hart Energy Publishing. "The entire global team at Hart and the International Fuel Quality Center applaud the global governments, automakers, refiners and technology suppliers who partner together in contribution to one of the great clean energy and environmental success stories."

Diesel desulfurization dramatically improves tailpipe emissions by allowing for the use of advanced aftertreatment systems. Sulfur compounds emitted as a result of fuel combustion have detrimental environmental and health effects. Industry and policymakers around the world are continuing to reduce sulfur levels in fuels.

The complete ranking can be found on the IFQC's Web site at http://www.ifqc.org.

HART Energy Consulting is a division of Hart Energy Publishing, LLLP, which provides specialized data/information products and member-only services to targeted audiences worldwide and ranks among the leading providers of news, data and analysis for the global energy industry. Its core publishing and consulting expertise has been extended to online products (databases, maps) and services (Web sites, market information) as well as industry conferences and exhibitions. Hart Energy clients derive from the energy industry, the financial and investment community, engineering and automotive industries, utilities, leading NGOs and the world's major governments.

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Frederick L. Potter

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SOURCE Hart Energy Publishing