Diesel ban in South Africa still coming

South Africa's transition to cleaner diesel fuels remains on the horizon, with plans to ban the sale of diesel containing more than 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur by 2027 still in motion.

The initiative forms part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's (DMRE) broader Cleaner Fuels Two (CF2) regulations, originally announced in 2021.

These regulations mandate the use of diesel with a maximum sulfur content of 10ppm and impose stricter limits on harmful compounds in petrol.

Similar standards have been adopted in developed nations, with the United States, European Union, New Zealand, and soon Australia, already limiting sulfur content in diesel to 10–15ppm.

The move is driven by pressing environmental and health concerns.

Diesel engines, while efficient, emit higher levels of nitrogen oxides and particulates compared to petrol engines.

These pollutants pose significant risks to human health and contribute to air quality degradation. Sulfur in diesel compounds these issues, as it is converted to sulfur dioxide during combustion - a pollutant linked to respiratory problems and acid rain.

Additionally, sulfur can form sulfuric acid, which accelerates corrosion in metal components.

Reducing sulfur content to 10ppm significantly mitigates these effects, resulting in cleaner emissions and longer engine lifespans.

Despite these advantages, South Africa lags behind global benchmarks. While ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuels have been the norm in many developed countries for over a decade, South Africa's adoption of CF2 standards has faced numerous hurdles.

The delay stems largely from the country's refinery infrastructure, which is ill-equipped to produce 10ppm diesel on a large scale.

At the time the CF2 regulations were introduced, only Sasol's Secunda plant was capable of producing such diesel, leaving major refineries like Astron Energy, Enref, Natref, Sapref, and PetroSA requiring costly and complex upgrades.

The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (Fiasa) noted earlier this year that the initial timeline for implementing CF2 regulations - two years - was overly ambitious, given the operational challenges unique to South Africa.

Acquiring and installing the necessary equipment for refinery upgrades is a lengthy process, compounded by regulatory hurdles and financial constraints.

Additionally, the government needed more time to amend standards governing the sale of the older, higher-sulfur diesel grades, making a 2023 rollout unfeasible.

Now targeting 2027, industry stakeholders are preparing for the shift.

Sasol, a majority owner of the Natref refinery, is exploring investments to convert the facility into a hybrid plant capable of producing both crude and biofuels, aligning with the CF2 requirements.

Meanwhile, the government has announced plans to revive and upgrade the PetroSA and Sapref refineries, the latter recently acquired for a symbolic one rand from Shell and BP.

However, the extent of damage to Sapref, particularly following severe flooding in 2022, and the associated repair costs - estimated in the billions - raise concerns about whether the 2027 deadline is achievable.

For motorists, the impact of the transition to ULSD is expected to be minimal, although 50ppm and 500ppm diesel are currently more widely available and less expensive.

Most diesel engines manufactured since 2007 are compatible with 10ppm fuels, which are already available in South Africa for those who opt for premium-grade diesel.

Additionally, the gradual implementation provides ample time for adaptation within the automotive and fuel industries.

The shift is expected to reduce emissions significantly, contributing to better air quality and aligning South Africa with international environmental standards.