Last days of leaded petrol

Source: Channel 7 - Today Tonight
REPORTER: Adene Cassidy
January 10, 2005
http://seven.com.au/todaytonight

A double whammy is awaiting a third of Australia's drivers at the petrol bowsers. Service stations across the country have been taking leaded fuel off the menu.

If you drive a car made before 1986, leaded fuel was your only choice at the bowser. But as of January 1, it has become hard to find.

The last days of lead leaves one million drivers with a big problem – spend $300 to $600 converting your car to unleaded or wear an extra $10 every time you fill up.

Margaret James said it costs her an extra $200 to $300 a year to run a leaded car as lead-free.

"We can't afford to upgrade," Ms James said. "It's what we have to wear."

Like many mums, Ms James' daily routine revolves around the family car. As her car is a 1984 model Volvo, the picking up, dropping off, and running around parts of her day have just gone up in price.

Dane Gilmour's 1985 SK Holden may not be that fast but the 22-year-old driver is well and truly furious.

He said he bought the car second hand a year ago and that it is all he could afford.

"Every time I go to the bowser I have to get premium unleaded which is 10 cents and on top of that I have to get a lead replacement additive which is $3 a pop," Mr James said. "Every time I go it's an extra $10 to fill up."

While Dane can not afford a converter, he said the real pain will be felt come resale time.

"A converter is $400 and I can't pay that," Mr James said. "It's greatly devalued my car - it's not worth anything to me - it may as well go for scrap metal."

Rob Saul from Lane Toyota said owners of these cars are in for a rude shock when they want to sell and believes there is no question the value of those cars has been hurt.

"The hard truth is they have very little value unless there is something intrinsic in them," Mr Saul said. "They are virtually worthless. They're the sort of thing you'd take to the wrecker."

Jeff Hamilton has worked around cars for almost 50 years. This former mechanic and car lover said lazy afternoons spent with his beloved Chevy could be drawing to a close.

He simply does not trust the additives he will need to keep her running.

"There's a big argument as to how much harm it's going to do and how much it isn't going to do," Mr Hamilton said.

"It's an unknown quantity, but I'm not convinced."

Mick Brincat is ready for the new fork in the road but hates the extra hassle.

"It is a big change," Mr Brincat said. "It's just the inconvenience of fuel – service stations congested, lining up. You walk in to get the additive, filling up and going in twice to pay for the additive first - it is inconvenient."

Alan Finlay from the NRMA said the changes have been a long time coming.

"The phasing out of leaded petrol is something designed to improve our environment and we think it's a positive thing," Mr Finlay said.

He said while motorists like Mr Hamilton may be concerned, additives have a proven track record across the Tasman.

"We've looked at the situation in New Zealand where leaded petrol was phased out earlier than Australia and there are no ongoing problems with the use of additives," Mr Finlay said.

For more information on fuel additives visit the National Roads and Motorists Association Limited (NRMA) website: www.mynrma.com.au/2004_041116.asp