We only have a max of 98 RON over here in the UK with Optimax. Why does Japan have 100 RON fuel, when nowhere else in the world has it???? Considering their traffic status, and mini cars, with 600cc engines etc, why do they have such a relatively high performance road fuel compared to the rest of the world??

 

Politics, I think .
Higher octane doesn't pollute more, but people think it does. It does need more refining, though, which effectively makes more pollution at that point.
FYI, Belgium - in some places I know of - sell '99+' - presumanly there's some EU ruling somewhere (that the Belgians are actually paying attention to for a change ) that states 100RON in a no-no.

 

Im sure that Japan has very strict emission laws too though??

 

The kart racing control fuel I used to used, made by Elf, was supposed to be 100ron. However, because noone in europe commonly uses 100ron, it was more expensive the 102ron, which is used for racing everywhere.

Not exactly pump fuel, and at over £2 per litre, not exactly cheap

Paul

 

Aah! But you're confusing politics with sense! Why do we all have cats? Because the major global supplier of platinum sold it to a US politician (the numbers can easily be 'fiddled' either way to make cats look good or bad). And then everyone else followed. Sense? Errr, no. Mr Platinum (and presumably senator as well) made a fat pile of cash out of it.