Recently, worsening smog has made natives taste the hazard of environmental pollution to lives, and discussions about such issue “the influence of vehicle exhaust fumes on air quality”, “the upgrade of oil quality” naturally become more intensive. Even though the State Environmental Protection Administration informed all gasoline stations in China to supply the National Emission “National Standard IV” Oil (The Oil of Emission Standard of Vehicles Pollution of The Nation\'s Fourth Grade) since the 2014 New Year\'s Day, all Yichang\'s gasoline stations have already brought into the vehicle-using petrol of the National Emission Standard IV. Then, what is the difference between the National Emission Standard IV and that of Standard III? What is the people\'s response to the upgrade of oil quality? Reporter recently conducted a survey and interview.

　　On the afternoon, December 9th, the reporter went to a gas station located in Development Avenue of downtown area, which can refuel 40 cars or more within 3 hours more or less, and randomly interviewed people waiting for refueling. In regard to the “National Standard IV”, most of them just had simple conceptions instead of explaining them clearly, such as "I heard that the ‘National Standard IV’ oil is very fuel-saving and efficient", "The standard seems to be related to exhaust fumes emissions, and the higher standard, the lower pollution" and so on.

　　"In fact, we have already provided the ‘National Emission Standard IV’ petrol, but just some people have not noticed it yet." Station’s staff told reporters that the sales license of gas station had been replaced into the ‘National Emission Standard IV’ and the selling 93 # and 97 # gasoline also have already changed into the new standard oil. Most people only noticed that oil price has risen a little while ignoring that their refueling oil has been upgraded.

　　Yichang Vehicles only Drink “Standard IV” Oil since January 1st, 2014

　　"The upgrade from ‘Standard III’ to ‘Standard IV’ mainly is mainly due to environmental consideration." According to the related data of the State Environmental Protection Department showed, vehicle exhaust fumes is contributing to 20%-30% of PM2.5 density which are airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter posing health risks, and low-quality oil accounts for 30% elements of the exceeding vehicle emissions.

　　At present, the worsening smog in China has a close relationship with the increasing vehicle emission, so it is urgent to improve the oil quality and raise the emission standard to lower the vehicle pollutant emission. Meanwhile, it is necessary to expand publicity to let consumers understand the environmental protection function of “Standard IV” oil. Gao Fan, the director of the Commerce Circulation of Yichang Municipal Bureau of Commerce said to the reporter.

　　According to reports, compared with the "Standard III", the “Standard IV’ owns an obvious advantage in environmental protection because permitted sulfur emission in exhaust fumes will be reduced more than 60%, In addition, it will lower the sulfur content, advance the transformation and purification efficiency of vehicle\'s energy and reduced carbon deposit, accordingly extend the energy lifespan and vehicle maintenance period. “Standard III’ Oil is no longer transported to Yichang but the ‘Standard IV oil’." Gao Fan said that, according to the Hubei provincial government\'s related regulations, the transitional period of oil-equality upgrade in Hubei\'s market will be finished in the end of 2013. During it, the “Standard III” is still on sale until January 1st, 2014, since then the whole province will only sale “Standard IV” in a unified manner.

　　Same Prices before the Completion of Displacement

　　"Actually, the present “Standard IV” is a kind of oil whose norm is between the Standard IV and ‘Standard III’." Huang Xiaowei, the staff of Sinopec Hubei Yichang Petroleum Group Co.,Ltd., said that his company has started the upgrade and displacement from “Standard III” to “Standard IV” since October 1st, 2013,but the prices will keep the same before it is finished and reaches the norm." After the oil has been successfully tested to reach the ‘Standard IV’, we will replace the listed price." According to Huang\'s introduction, the replacement requires a superposition process by not a one-time but a gradual achieving, which needs to put the Standard IV oil into the tank on the basis of the “Standard III” oil with the lowest level on the bottom and then continually pour into “Standard IV” oil to make sure that it becomes more and eventually replaces the “Standard III” step by step. After two or three times, the oil tank is basically full of “Standard IV” so the replacement is completed.

　　According to data provided by the Yichang Petroleum Marketers Association, as of early December, the Sinopec gas stations in Yichang whose oil has been replaced by superposition to fully meet the “Standard IV” have reached 80%, of which 138 stations have been completed the displacement of 93 # gasoline and 81 stations have finished that of 97#. Gao introduced, in line with the provincial government\'s policy "high quality and favorable prices", quality standards for gasoline upgrading to the fourth stage increase 290 Yuan per ton and non-upgraded refer to the original price. (Reporter: Zhang Bokang)