Flying V cuts coco-biodiesel pump price by 50¢ per liter

Flying V, one of the country’s most aggressive small oil players, has slashed the pump price of its pre-blended coco-biodiesel product by 50 centavos per liter to further promote the use of alternative fuels in the transport sector.

Flying V’s operations manager Kim Barrera said the price cut is even higher at P1.50 per liter for public transport groups.

She said the reduction brings the price of pre-blended biodiesel at the same level as ordinary diesel in all 42 Flying V stations offering Envirotek premium bio-diesel. Pre-blended biodiesel now sells at P32.24 per liter and P31.30 per liter for jeepney lanes.

Aside from the price cut, the oil firm is also giving away one free bottle of coco-biodiesel additive for every five bottles purchased. Flying V is selling coco-biodiesel additives at 200 ml (P35) and one- liter bottles.

"While Flying V will have to absorb the additional cost for biodiesel, we have decided to cut prices to give the chance to the transport sector, especially jeepney drivers, to experience and appreciate the effectivity and efficiency of the product," Barrera said.

Company records show that motorists using bio-diesel usually develop a strong product loyalty.

Mar Garvida, national president of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) lauded Flying V for once again taking the lead in helping the transport sector.

Garvida vouched for the effectivity of the product, saying that the use of a minimum one percent coco-biodiesel blend results in substantial savings from increased fuel mileage and enhanced engine performance.

The Piston official said biodiesel significantly reduces smoke emission, thus helping contribute to a cleaner environment.

Already being extensively used in the US and Europe, coco-biodiesel is endorsed by the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation and Communications and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Flying V is the first and only oil company so far to dispense pre-blended coco-biodiesel directly from the pumps, having launched the product in August 2005.

Since its launch, there are now 42 Flying V stations nationwide offering the product.