Biodiesel now selling at pump.

Renewable transport energy in New Zealand is making progress, with biodiesel now on retail sale and approval granted for 85% ethanol blends in petrol, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said today. 

"From today Mobil becomes the first company in New Zealand to sell a biodiesel blend at the pump," he said. 

Mobil's B5 blend (5% biodiesel blended with ordinary mineral diesel) went on sale today on a trial basis in the Bay of Plenty region.   

The biodiesel in Mobil's B5 blend is sourced from tallow, a by-product of meat processing. 

"This trial provides another choice of fuel for Bay of Plenty motorists who wish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable biofuels, and support a New Zealand industry," Mr Brownlee said. 

Ethanol-blended petrol is already on sale in New Zealand, but now another renewable biofuel choice is possible after an application to allow E85 - an 85% ethanol blend with 15% petrol - has been approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand), with controls. 

"The approval paves the way for flex-fuel cars, which cost little or no more than ordinary petrol vehicles, to be introduced into New Zealand."   

Flex-fuel vehicles can run on either normal mineral petrol, or very high 85% (E85) ethanol blends, as the driver chooses," said Mr Brownlee. 

"This approval will eventually allow oil companies to offer another option at the pump for flex-fuel vehicle owners, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions further," he said. 

Transport makes up nearly half New Zealand's energy use (44%) but only 0.7% of the sector's energy use is renewable.  We need to change that over time if we are to start reducing our greenhouse gas emissions," said Mr Brownlee.

Background information:

Consumer use of biodiesel

For guidelines on the use of biodiesel, see here: http://www.eeca.govt.nz/renewable-energy/biofuels/biodiesel/indexnew.html

Biofuel regulations

EECA does not recommend the use of biodiesel that does not meet New Zealand fuel manufacturing regulations.  See more information about biofuel specifications and regulations here: http://www.eeca.govt.nz/renewable-energy/biofuels/specifications.html

Ethanol sustainability

Information on the sustainability of ethanol and other useful reports by EECA are available here: http://www.eeca.govt.nz/renewable-energy/biofuels/index.html#reports

ERMA's decision.

 http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/search/registers.html?aid=HSR07072