New 85% bioethanol a big step up for the biofuels industry

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BANZ MEDIA STATEMENT

New 85% bioethanol a big step up for the biofuels industry

A new biofuel launched today will help New Zealand move towards a sustainable future and decrease its reliance on imported fossil fuel, says the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ).

With the Government committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050, BANZ executive officer Brian Cox said he welcomed the announcement of a new fuel containing 85% bioethanol and 15% petrol (E85).

The new fuel launched by Gull New Zealand, Gull Force Pro, produces an estimated 35-50% less emissions than ordinary fuel. It is suitable for E85-compatible vehicles and is also able to be used by the motor racing industry.

“If New Zealand is serious about cutting emissions from private transport, biofuel needs to take centre stage in our everyday driving,” said Mr Cox. “This is the next step towards increasing the availability of high-percentage biofuels and cars that can run on them.”

Mr Cox said that New Zealand’s biofuels producers were ready and willing to offer Kiwi motorists an environmentally sound alternative to imported fossil fuels. Researchers were working hard to increase the amount of biofuel that can be made within our borders from sources such as algae, forest residues and municipal waste.

Adopting biofuels could benefit New Zealanders financially, as well as environmentally, said Mr Cox.

“There is likely to be a significant and growing price gap between petrol and biofuel blends as oil becomes scarcer, Governments impose a price on carbon, and New Zealand finds new sources of sustainable biofuel,” he said.

“Now is the time for motorists to seriously consider switching to biofuel and biofuel blends.”

Mr Cox said that while not every car can run on E85 at present, the vast majority of vehicles can run on a blend of 10% bioethanol and 90% petrol, or biodiesel, with no modifications. “It is exciting to see new vehicles (eg Holden flex-fuels) arriving to market that are able to run on higher blends such as Gull’s new E85,” said Mr Cox. “That can only help the environment and New Zealand’s domestic biofuels industry.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

• Gull Force Pro was launched at Gull’s new Melville station at Ohaupo Road, Hamilton today.
• Gull Force Pro is a premium fuel. It joins Gull’s existing biofuel offerings - Gull Force 10, Gull Regular Plus and Gull Diesel Max. All of Gull’s more than 40 stations nationwide sell biofuel, and four sell exclusively biofuel and biofuel blends.
• The current Holden E85 capable range includes the 3.0L V6 Omega to the 6.0L V8 SS, SS-V, Calais-V and the whole special edition Redline.
• The New Zealand Bioenergy Strategy http://www.bioenergy.org.nz/NZBioenergyStrategy2010.pdf has a target of 25% of national energy from Bioenergy (including 30% of transport fuel) by 2040.

About the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ)
BANZ was established in 2001 to promote and coordinate the development of a bioenergy industry in New Zealand. BANZ provides a central focus point for liaison with Government agencies, the dissemination of information amongst the industry and long-term positioning of bioenergy into New Zealand's energy system. Members include anyone with a commercial interest in bioenergy - sawmillers, wood processors, energy suppliers, energy researchers, consultants, manufacturers and investors.

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