Bio-fuel, which emits 30 percent less carbon dioxide than other petrols, should be more widely used in the country to protect the environment, experts have said.

Petrol Vietnam Oil Corporation (PV Oil), which makes bio-fuel E5, said the petrol was harmless to vehicles.

Made from biomass, the fuel is a mixture of 95 percent of conventional non-lead gasoline and 5 percent ethanol.

Under a trial run by PV Oil, Da Nang Polytechnic University and Toyota Ben Thanh, it was found that bio-gasoline E5 had no negative effects on vehicle engines.

PV Oil also noted that bio-fuel E5 could increase engine capacity by 3.3 percent compared with other gasolines, without a change in consumption.

According to results obtained in research projects, bio-fuel E5 can be used safely for most vehicles made after 1990 and has the same functions as other kinds of petrols, according to Dr Nguyen Huu Luong of HCM City Polytechnic University 's Chemistry Department.

Luong also said that not all bio-gasoline was good for the environment because it would depend on the way it was made.

Bio-fuel E5 produced by PV Oil has been on sale since the beginning of August at two gasoline stations in HCM City .

However, many residents lack information about the new petrol and were reluctant to use it.

Nguyen Thanh Nguyen, a seller at Gasoline Station 5 in Thu Duc disitrict's Hiep Binh Chanh ward, said only one or two out of 10 customers wanted to buy bio-fuel. Every day, the station sells no more than 100 litres.

He said customers bought bio-fuel because it was 500 VND per litre cheaper than other petrol.

Pham Long, Thu Duc district's Hiep Binh Chanh ward, said that he often used petrol A92 for his motorbike.

"I wouldn't dare use bio-fuel because I lack information about it."

It is estimated that 40 petrol stations will sell bio-fuel in HCM City by the end of this year, and about 4,000 stations by 2012, of all which are under PV Oil, Petec and others, said Ly Hong Duc, deputy director of PV Oil.

Some organisations like PV Oil, Polytechnic University 's Chemistry Department's Laboratory and the Dong Xanh Company in Central Quang Nam province are conducting research on producing bio-fuel with advanced technologies.

Tests show bio-fuel E5 has a higher octane rating than other conventional gasoline, allowing for better fuel economy, engine and environmental protection.

The Government has identified the production of bio-fuel as a pivotal industry to ensure energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and protect the environment./.