Gull Te Ngae is about to transition from 98 to 95… and boy is it on sale…
Go and Fill Up!
98 Octane : $2.247 @ Gull Te Ngae (Rotorua)
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Na Gull in general are removing 98 due to various factors… but given that they use the same terminal as Caltex… Id say it has something to do with that!
Their cheap source of ethanol is gone, and all they did was contaminate 95 with ethanol to get the octane rating up.
At least we don't have to suffer like the US does with govt subsidized corn ethanol going into everything to prop up a farming industry.
The last time I filled up at Gull (Kaiwaka), there was a sign that explained the reasons for the shift from Force 10 (98) to 95 at that site. Normal vague PR speak about delivering better value to their customers:
My take is it is a combination of the below:
- Vastly more car's in NZ require / recommend 95RON, than 98RON. I can only really think of the Toyota 86 that recommends 98RON, but I am sure their are others. Generally little advantage in running higher grade fuel than what the car manufacturer recommends (although there are some exceptions, like the some barra falcons which make materially more power on higher grade fuel). Means people like myself (Lexus RX400h, 95RON recommended by manufacturer) are generally unwilling to pay a premium for 98RON fuel (especially an ethanol blend which is ~3.3% lower in energy content). As such buyers like myself will (previously) would rarely visit most gull sites, as I could find better value elsewhere.
- A decent chunk of those who do want 98 RON are specifically after ethanol free fuel, for reasons like compatibility with old cars.
- Even though every car built since 2010, (and many well before that, I.e. all Toyota since 1990), should be comparable with E10 (source: www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mia-reveals-cars-compatible-with-ethan… ), a healthy skepticism of the fuel lingers for whatever reason. It's hydroscopic properties generally do make it a poor choice for marine & small engine applications.
- Ethanol fuel blends have only really boomed in locations with
- I don't think the environmental benefits of a 10% biofuel blend will be willing them many sales. That buyer demography has solidly moved to plug in cars now.
- Mineral petroleum is kind of cheap at the moment. Pure speculation, but I guess their ethanol source is getting hit with general inflation…Should note they have been offering 95RON at their hampton downs site for a few years (they have a pump off to the side, which used to sell 85% ethanol for racing application's, but obviously they decided to get out of that game and change the pump over to 95RON. Was my fuel up stop before returning to the Auckland fuel tax region from the south via SH1. They were able to sell 95RON quite a bit cheaper than their force 10, and it was popular. Often a line for the single dispenser that offered it. This would have given gull a good indication of relative demand between the blends where both are offered.
As a 95RON buyer this move is great for me. Previously Waitomo & Costco were my go-to's. Gull selling that grade at more sites should add completion. Suck's how much the bigger players make up their premium blends over 91RON.
For a second I was like, didn't they moved away from 98? As you say, they are. Now, anybody knows why? Is this since ukraine russia war?
Edit: seems like they posted this on their facebook in June 2020, wonder if it's still the same reason.
Due to ethanol supply constraints following from low domestic production and the supply of significant quantities of Gull ethanol which recently assisted in the production of hand sanitiser during COVID-19, Gull Force 10 (98 Octane) will be temporarily out of stock at approximately 50% of Gull sites and 95 Premium will be available in the interim until ethanol stocks become available again, anticipated during July. Prices have been reduced for 95 Premium.
Signage has been placed at affected sites to make it clear 95 Premium is on sale (with NO Force 10 available at these sites). For further site details please visit our Station Locator
https://www.facebook.com/GullNZ/posts/force10-fans-listen-up…