BP Amoco Introduces Low-Sulfur Gasoline in North Carolina Cities

BP Amoco announced this week that it is selling low-sulfur fuel in four North Carolina cities, including Greensboro, Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh. The new gasoline, which replaces the old premium fuel in 416 of the company's 1,600 stations across the state, contains one-tenth the sulfur of normal unleaded gasoline, reducing emissions that contribute to smog and ground-level ozone. This move is expected to bring a small measure of relief to the Tar Heel state, where air quality has steadily declined in recent years.

Key Takeaways:

• BP Amoco is selling low-sulfur gasoline in four North Carolina cities, including Greensboro, Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh, with 416 of its 1,600 stations across the state offering the new fuel.
• The low-sulfur gasoline contains one-tenth the sulfur of normal unleaded gasoline, reducing emissions that contribute to smog and ground-level ozone.
• The new gasoline costs the same as the fuel it replaces, approximately $1.59 a gallon.
• BP Amoco plans to sell its cleaner-burning fuel in 40 cities worldwide by the end of the year.
• The product meets the 30-parts-per-million sulfur requirement set by North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 2004.
• Brock Nicholson, chief of planning for the N.C. Division of Air Quality, praised the move, stating that it sends a message to the public and the rest of the industry that cleaner-burning fuels can be available now.
• Lewis Weinstock, who monitors the Triad's air for Forsyth County, applauded the effort, saying that anything that can improve air quality now should be cheered.

Statistics:

• 416 BP Amoco stations across North Carolina are offering the low-sulfur gasoline.
• Gasoline costs approximately $1.59 a gallon for both the low-sulfur and regular fuel.
• 40 cities worldwide will offer the low-sulfur gasoline by the end of the year.
• BP Amoco has 1,600 stations in North Carolina.

Sources:

• BP Amoco
• The Associated Press