To boost power and eliminate engine knock, oil companies have been stirring lead into their gasoline for half a century. Last year, in an effort to capitalize on the pollution issue, most major refiners began producing at least one line of lead-free fuel. Despite the public clamor about the environment, however, the strategy is not paying off. The new nonleaded gasolines, dealers complain, are selling at a leaden pace.
Non-and low-lead fuels account for little more than 3% of all gasoline sold, compared with about 44% for leaded premium and 53% for leaded regular. To attract more customers, some companies,...