Biofuels in a nutshell

[Newsreader]

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has published a straightforward guide to biofuels.

Biofuels and Road Vehicles answers many of the most common questions including where biofuels come from, what different types are available and how they benefit the environment. Copies are free to download from www.smmt.co.uk (http://www.smmt.co.uk)

'Few doubt that biofuels will deliver more sustainable motoring,' said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. 'However, some of the basic facts are not widely understood. Biofuels need to be fully integrated in sustainable motoring strategy, and an understanding of the key issues must be the starting point for all stakeholders.'
Biofuels and Road Vehicles includes advice on:

Different types of biofuel – biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas
Basic principles of photosynthesis; why fuels that come from biomass perform better than fossil fuels on CO2 emissions
Blends in biofuels and quality control issues
The future for transport biofuelsUnder the Government's Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), fuel companies will be compelled to supply five per cent biofuel by volume by 2010. Details of the RTFO - and other developments on sustainability - can found in SMMT's seventh annual sustainability report, published this week and free to download from www.smmt.co.uk (http://www.smmt.co.uk/)

[ser2diesel]

About time too

I don't know how long discussion about alternative fuels has been going on, its only when traditional fuel supply gets tight that the fuel companies bother to look elsewhere, or let any other players into their money machine

[graham]

I have just contacted the Labour, Conservative and Lib Dems leadership to point out the hype surrounding 4x4 vehicles.
I made the point that a lot of them are now using bio fuels/LPG the greens and all parties have ignored this fact.

We as voters expect to be treated fairly and the use of lies and spin is creating descrimination against law abiding tax paying motorists.

If you feel the same way write to your MP we are voters and our side needs to be put across.

[Backs4more]

its only when traditional fuel supply gets tight that the fuel companies bother to look elsewhere, or let any other players into their money machine

Thats not quiet true. The oil companies have had alternative fuel for decades. Shell was looking at biodiesel as far back as 1985 when I worked for them. It is infact the Govenment that is the issue here. The Taxes applied to the oil firms are huge, as are the taxes to us the consumer. If the Govenment was truly commeted to a greener and more pleasant land, it would allow farmers to grow rape seed without penalising them, it would reduce or remove tax on things like Veg oil and Biodiesel and it would reduce tax on the oil companies who spend vast amounts of money looking at renewable energy.

It is only recently that farmers have been able to grow rape purely for fuel after taxes were lowered, but for them, it is still more profitable to grow other crops.

Also, look at LPG etc. The govenment gave you a grant to convert if your car was less than 3 years old. Why? Modern engines are pretty efficient, surely older vehicles are the ones that need LPGing??? Does not take several million pounds of government research money to work that one out.

What about the govenment offering grants to convert to biodiesel/veg oil..and lower the tax on these products to encourage people to switch.

I know why....because they need the tax from petrol and diesel to pay for things like the war in Iraq, our poor troops in Afganistan and the huge amounts of damage they are doing to the environment with the vast amounts of fuel burnt by naval ships, airforce jets and army vehicles on a day to day basis.

(One now climbs off ones soapbox and returns to the bar :D )

[rod at aberdeen]

Just a point to add Rob with reference to the grants they offered it to cars less than three years (or five it could have been ) now they dont offer it at all they have cancelled all the grants. So I totally agree so much for the government wanting to reduce emisions. Some encouragement to do so would be nice. I think they know that they increase tax and cost and we will still pay cause we love our cars.

Rod

[ser2diesel]

Interesting Back4more.

I heard very many years ago that oil companies bought out and killed off many alternative fuel remedies, just to keep them out of the public domain. Your 1985 revelation just proves it. I only heard of biodiesel this century.

In the 70's Joseph Lucas, in Birmingham, had an electric CF van and even a motorbike, but through lack of interest, funds or even pressure from the Big oil, these ventures folded.

I read the financial press daily and the reports I read now say the oil companies are awash with money, never mind this dishonest government.

[skinshipps]

Hello

I am an owner of a Series IIa diesel in the USA. I bought this car on ebay and imported it from the UK. It was the car that was in the "Country Parish" BBC series a few years ago. I have a good source for bio fuel and would like to run the car with the fuel.
I know that I just have to assure that the fuel lines and seals are compatible. That is where everything grinds to a halt. I have not gotten anywhere with this in the states. The best I have gotten is referral to other forums. Do you know of a source for these parts? Thanks so much.

[Rich_P]

Is it a diesel you have or a petrol?

[skinshipps]

I have a diesel.

thanks for the response.

[alexia]

Bernie
I tried to get the down load on bio fuel from the SMMT website, but couldn't find it
What I really want to know is can I just dump a load of "Bio-power V100 road fuel" into my 200tdi ?
The people that make the stuff (check out V100 in google?) mention changing the fuel filter but aren't specific as to when, more frequently etc.
Any pointers would be helpful
Cheers
Alex

[AnalogKid]

Biofuels aer nothing new, the Diesel engine was designed to be run from low-grade vegetable oil as a bi-product of farming.

And I can't see why the big oil companies would be scared of it. Its all very well making a batch of bio-diesel for you and a few mates, but who but the oil companies have the budget and infrastructure to manufacture and distribute the stuff on even a regional scale, let alone national or international.

[alexia]

This firm are advertising it at 75p per litre (as opposed to 92p ) and seem to be a reasonable sized organisation. And the price included 27p tax.
Hopefully as more of the stuff comes on line people will realise that fossil fuel isn't so vital.
I am sure its the government and the oil companies who don't want bio fuels because of taxes

www.bio-power.co.uk (http://www.bio-power.co.uk)

Alex

[Revs]

I dont get this biofuel thing. They says its green because the co2 is offset by what the plant naturally takes in but something would have been growing there anyway (... and if it takes off no doubt a bloody rainforest in south america!)

Sod it, i really couldnt give a toss how many co2 thingies my car makes if i'm honest!

happy new year! (p.s hope the world doesnt self destruct in 2007 :eek: )

[alex]

I dont get this biofuel thing. They says its green because the co2 is offset by what the plant naturally takes in but something would have been growing there anyway (... and if it takes off no doubt a bloody rainforest in south america!)

Sod it, i really couldnt give a toss how many co2 thingies my car makes if i'm honest!

happy new year! (p.s hope the world doesnt self destruct in 2007 :eek: )

:D :D
On a similar note they are actually creating huge amounts of carbon gas in S. America by cutting down rainforest then burning it to clear the ground to grow Palm Oil for Biofuel. For all the guys who want to know about Bio compatibility for their diesel engines . Join a Biodiesel forum and do the studying. Any diesel engine will run on good Biodiesel despite what the makers of trucks say. You need to study the forums to know all the tricks involved. It simply cannot be summed up in an answer here.
Alex

[alexia]

As I mentioned earlier....


"What I really want to know is can I just dump a load of "Bio-power V100 road fuel" into my 200tdi ?
The people that make the stuff (check out V100 in google?) mention changing the fuel filter but aren't specific as to when, more frequently etc."

Any clues?

Alex

[alex]

Alexia
The best method when doing this is to go to Partco and get the cheap see through filters for about £1.50. Put one between your tank and the main filter unit. The biofuel will lift the sludge from your tank which has built up after many years of Derv usage. This will show as a blackening of the see through filter element. Change the first one after a week or two and thereafter till it runs cleaner .
It will prolly take about 3 filters but the beauty of this is that if you plug a filter it is easily changed and seen. Keep an eye on all your hoses and check for any of them softening. If they do renew them with Viton if you can get it. Good Luck
Alex

[alex]

Alexia
The best method when doing this is to go to Partco and get the cheap see through filtersfor about £1.50. Put one between your tank and the main filter unit. The biofuel will lift the sludge from your tank which has built up after many years of Derv usage. This will show as a blackening of the see through filter element. Change the first one after a week or two and thereafter till it runs cleaner .
It will prolly take about 3 filters but the beauty of this is that if you plug a filter it is easily changed and seen. Keep an eye on all your hoses and check for any of them softening. If they do renew them with Viton if you can get it. Good Luck
Alex

[alexia]

Cheers mate
I've only done a few thousand miles since the petrol conversion but it would make sense to fit the inline filter.

Many thanks for the advice

Alex (Holmfirth)

[Alan H]

Still never been able to see the point of converting from petrol to t'other stuff. Just fit LPG if it's a running cost thing.
The grants from powershift that used to be available, actually didn't do any good at all. I had a grant for nearly £600 on a total cost of £2500 for a sequential injection system on a 2.4 litre, 4 cyl Santa Fé. When I got the V6 and had a similar system on (albeit with 6 injectors instead of 4) it cost £1900 without a grant. So it appeared that someone was milking the grant system.
Next car I get will probably be another V6 and get converted again. Mind you, LPG has just gone up to 36p/litre round here, so it's getting quite dear now!

[alexia]

i guess it's a green thing but I don't see the point in running on fossil fuels if there is a suitable alternative - if only the government, shell and bp thought the same
Still - it's only talk on my part yet - I have still got to get off my backside and do it.
Nearest stockist to me is near Elland

Alex (Holmfirth)

[Pete H]

Still never been able to see the point of converting from petrol to t'other stuff. Just fit LPG if it's a running cost thing.
The grants from powershift that used to be available, actually didn't do any good at all. I had a grant for nearly £600 on a total cost of £2500 for a sequential injection system on a 2.4 litre, 4 cyl Santa Fé. When I got the V6 and had a similar system on (albeit with 6 injectors instead of 4) it cost £1900 without a grant. So it appeared that someone was milking the grant system.
Next car I get will probably be another V6 and get converted again. Mind you, LPG has just gone up to 36p/litre round here, so it's getting quite dear now!

Alan.. You need Boat fuel......Oh hang on....Thats hit the roof too:eek:

Happy Crimbo fella :D
BTW.
The tractor is still in the drive.:D :D

[110 John]

Not a bad price but you would think they would make it cheaper again to get drivers to use it, again lining the goverments pockets.


Re boat fuel too right I cant afford to buy in bulk now it has trebled since my last bulk purchase of 600 gallons for my boat. be lucky if I can afford 200 gallons this year which is the minimum order.