The MaP Support article below was published in the April 2005
issue of Asia Development Review magazine.

• FUEL - the first decision in vehicle selection.

  A thorough understanding of the different fuel types and the benefits each one offers, can have a major impact on the operating costs of a vehicle fleet and equally, on the expenses incurred by a project manager or foreign service officer.

   The three principal fuel types; un-leaded, leaded and diesel, currently power most vehicles in the developing countries.  Others like ethanol, natural gas, or hybrids (petrol-electrics), are found mainly in the developed countries.  Ethanol is used primarily in Brazil.
  
  Unleaded was introduced to eliminate the harmful effects of lead in the atmosphere and it now accounts for almost 90% of petrol sold worldwide.  However there still remain many countries in Africa where unleaded has yet to be introduced as well as several in Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America where it is only partially available.  Plans exist, eventually to phase out lead in all countries.  In the meantime this problem affects overseas vehicle users in several ways:

  A)     Running a vehicle with a catalytic converter ("c-c") in a country without unleaded fuel.

  There are several reasons you may want to try this.

  • Perhaps you would like the option of shipping your vehicle(s) home at the end of your project / tour and you know you can't import a vehicle (into your country) without a c-c.
  • Perhaps you have recently bought a vehicle at home and don't want to give it up.
  • Perhaps the price of c-c equipped vehicles in your home country is so attractive you don't want to order from the local dealer or elsewhere.

  Whatever the reasons, there are risks involved and these can be summarized as follows:

  • Although your vehicle will run adequately on leaded fuel for a while, it will eventually contaminate and block the c-c and start to affect the performance of the engine.
  • You will also probably notice the "Check Engine" light on the dash come on.  While you might ignore this for a while, it's not a good idea because it could mask other problems.
  • There is a high probability that the manufacturer will tell you that your warranty has been invalidated.
  • Even if you arrange for the c-c to be removed altogether professionally (for subsequent re-installation) it could interfere with the fine balance in the exhaust system managed by the vehicle's computer, or ECU (Engine Control Unit).  This could result in greater noise, higher engine speed and invalidation of the warranty.

   B)     Running other vehicles without catalytic converters.

   If you rule out the c-c equipped vehicle then your choices are down to leaded petrol or diesel.  You will probably only be able to order the leaded vehicle through the local dealer or one of the international vehicle suppliers. The diesel you will be able to buy through the local dealer or one of the international vehicle suppliers or possibly in your home country - as long as they drive on the same side of the road at your destination.

   Our recommendation - every time - would be to opt for a diesel. The reasons for this are many:

  • In countries where fuel shortages occur it is normally petrol which runs out before diesel. Diesel also tends to be more widely available outside the towns because it is the fuel commonly used by trucks and agricultural tractors. As transport and agriculture are so vital to a developing nation's economy, diesel tends to be given higher priority when it comes to the allocation of foreign exchange.
  • Diesels offer much better fuel economy and in most countries diesel is cheaper than petrol in the first place.  You could reduce your fuel costs by as much as 50%.
  • Better mileage means fewer re-fueling stops and this can be important over long distances in rural areas.
  • A diesel is better able to cope with fording streams - crossing flooded areas.
  • Diesels offer a longer engine life and less maintenance, (the reason taxi drivers choose them).
  • Diesels offer higher levels of torque - an important factor in off-road driving.
  • Diesel is the fuel of choice in most developing countries for all these reasons and that also leads to:

      A) Better parts availability.
B) More widespread technical / maintenance / repair knowledge.
C) And finally, higher re-sale value in the local market.

• Diesels also offer greatly reduced CO₂ emissions and therefore help to reduce global warming.  See table below covering the Chrysler Voyager / Dodge Caravan:
   

By choosing a diesel in this case, over the 10 year life of the vehicle, one could expect to consume 11,125 litres LESS fuel and emit 18.25 tonnes LESS CO₂ on just one vehicle!

The problem is that the diesel model of this vehicle is not sold in North America or in Australia where fewer people are concerned with fuel economy than in developing countries.  For this and some other models one must occasionally buy overseas.