Wholesale retailer Williams Trading will be marketing a new fuel-saving device in Bermuda.

Manufacturers guarantee the Fitch Fuel Catalyst will cut fuel consumption in gasoline-powered vehicles by at least seven percent.

Connecticut-based patent holder Advanced Power Systems International also says the catalyst reduces toxic exhaust emissions and increases horsepower.

Williams Trading vice-president Mr. Allan Williams began testing the potential of the device in Bermuda two years ago.

He said the catalyst's arrival on the Island is timely because of clean air regulations passed by Parliament last session.

Primarily, the catalyst will be marketed to companies and government departments with car fleets, such as Cable and Wireless, Telco, Belco and also taxi fleets and the Government's bus garage and other departments.

Two years ago, a local utility company co-operated with tests on three of its vehicles, said Mr. Williams.

"Analysis showed an average 12- to 15-percent fuel consumption reduction for the three vehicles,'' he said.

He declined to name the utility.

"The utility uses $328,000 worth of fuel annually so if 12 to 15 percent could be saved the fuel bill would be cut substantially,'' he said.

Even international businessman Mr. John Deuss had a catalyst inserted into his schooner's engines last year, Mr. Williams said.

"The crew has not had to clean exhaust marks from the generator on the stern of the boat because their are no emissions,'' he said.

Mr. Francis Mahoney, the product's salesman in Bermuda, said he will target the larger local companies before he sells the catalyst to individuals.

Advanced Power Systems technical consultant Mr. Doug Sneller, who was briefly visiting Bermuda, before travelling to Jordan and Turkey to market the product, described how the unit could be installed in the fuel line of larger engines or directly into the fuel tank of smaller engines.

"While I was driving around Bermuda in the rush hour, I was amazed to see some moped drivers actually rubbing their eyes because of the black smoke emitted by the traffic,'' said Mr. Sneller.

He said the unit can be used in any equipment with an engine, including boats, lawn mowers, cars, trucks and mopeds.

"It will work on gasoline, kerosene or diesel and will last up to 250,000 miles, 5,000 hours or five years -- which ever comes first,'' he said.

The catalyst works by producing an electro-chemical reaction which alters the molecular composition of the fuel making the combustion process more efficient.

The catalyst's price varies according the size of the engine. One to fit a moped would be about $25. One sized for a standard car would cost about $125.

"The product sells by word of mouth. People have been sceptical about the product, but it is proving itself,'' said Mr. Sneller.

FUEL SAVER -- A fuel catalyst, designed to reduce fuel consumption, is being distributed by Williams Trading. Pictured (left to right) are catalyst salesman Mr. Francis Mahoney, Williams Trading vice-president Mr. Allan Williams and Mr. Doug Sneller, technical consultant for US catalyst producer Advanced Power Systems International.