By David Eidell
Petroleos Mexicana, or "PEMEX" has been silent so far with regards to information concerning the availability of 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel in Mexico.
Since 1994 Pemex has crowed that it's diesel is rated at 30 ppm sulfur, yet it is breaking it's neck trying to get 15 ppm diesel out and distributed. Perhaps technically if a new car manufacturer were to learn that a customer operated a 2008 model pickup or motorhome on 30 ppm sulfur diesel, it could effectively null and void the warranty on that vehicle.
To really make this interesting, a Pemex station owner (stations are known as gasolineras in Mexico) states that ULSD has been available in Baja California "Norte" since 2006. "But" he cautioned "Baja California "Sur" did not yet have delivery of ULSD.
If indeed Mexico's existing diesel does have 30 ppm it could not possibly affect emissions regarding sulfur content of the fuel. Not that many years ago, US diesel had three hundred parts per million of sulfur. Good grief, refineries are just now reducing the level of sulfur in gasoline from 80 ppm.
I do remember clearly when the sales of tetraethyl lead were suspended to Mexico in 1984. For many years the fuel labelled NOVA "leaded" by US authorities, contained zero lead. But NOVA was such a poor fuel that Mexico eliminated it in 1996. Unleaded EXTRA was not a good "premium" grade of gasoline, so the name was changed to MAGNA SIN and shortly thereafter PREMIUM unleaded took the flagship position. In 2007 MAGNA SIN is a fuel that compares favorably to regular unleaded in the USA. PREMIUM fuel from PEMEX is refined and blended in the USA, every last drop of it.
Now speaking completely for myself-------
If I were the proud owner of a 2008 diesel powered recreational vehicle--------
I would weigh all of the facts above, especially the part about 30 ppm sulfur diesel being available "all over Mexico" and 15 ppm sulfur diesel being available "in Mexican states bordering the USA, in states containing cities of one million or more (Baja California is almost deserted compared to more populated states) such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla, Monterrey, etc.) and make my decision.
(Hint: My decision involves the necessity of shorts, sunglasses, and lots of tequila mix).
So unless I kidnap an executive of Petroleos Mexicanos and use bamboo splinters under his fingernails to extract more information, you have just about all the information that I am able to gather.
Pemex is going to announce the introduction of Ultra Low Sulfur UBA (Ultra Bajo Azufre) Diesel only after the last gas station in Mexico has taken delivery of the new fuel---it has done similar announcements with new fuel introductions since the seventies.
Saludos!
David
ED NOTE: If we had a brand-new diesel rig and wanted to travel in Mexico, we would tend to err on the conservative side for the moment. Readers wanting to get the latest information might want to contact david at mexbungalows@gmail.com