Auckland leads the whey

1 August 2007

The Auckland Regional Council is pleased Auckland motorists now have a more environmentally-friendly choice at the petrol pump.

Gull New Zealand launched today Gull Force 10 which is the first biofuel to reach the local market. Made with 10 percent bioethanol, the new fuel is sourced from whey - a natural by-product of the dairy industry.

ARC transport policy committee chairman Joel Cayford said Aucklanders should support more sustainable fuel alternatives as they became available.

“We’re a canny lot at watching prices and discounts, but this is a new dimension emerging in this competitive market. People can factor in environmental concerns when deciding which fuel to buy.

“In a world where climate-change problems often seem too big or distant, this is a practical way of cutting back on harmful emissions.”

Gull’s decision to use organic material from Fonterra, which might otherwise be wasted, was also environmentally prudent. It provided a source of ethanol other than scarce agricultural products, he said.

“Reducing or substituting for fossil fuel imports will help put New Zealand on the road to a more sustainable economy,” Mr Cayford said.

ARC air quality scientist Gerda Kuschel says the ARC is very supportive of the introduction of biofuels, and the Government’s biofuels sales obligation targets, because they would lead to a more sustainable and cleaner environment.

ENDS

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