Merseytravel and Stagecoach are launching a new green initiative to run
buses on bio-fuel supplied by Convert2Green, as part of their commitment to the
European BIONIC project.
The BIONIC project, funded by the European Commission and Intelligent Energy
Europe programme and coordinated in Europe by Merseytravel, promotes the
production and use of sustainably produced bio-fuels.
Merseytravel is supporting the two year trial by funding the refuelling
infrastructure to allow some of the Stagecoach fleet to run on B30
bio-diesel, supplied by Convert2Green - all three partners are members of the
Merseytravel run North West Biofuels Network.
The B30 biodiesel mix includes 30% biodiesel from waste vegetable oil which
calculates the overall CO2 emissions from the buses as up to 25% less than
using standard diesel.
The trial is crucial to providing confidence in bio-fuels by UK bus
operators, promoting a wider uptake of sustainably produced bio-fuels in the public transport network and continuing its progress as a low carbon and
sustainable fuel source. The trial results, which will be published by Merseytravel, will monitor vehicle reliability and fuel consumption, with the lessons learnt being used to support other bus operators who want to use sustainable bio-fuels.
Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel said, "By supporting this trial
and working with local producers, we are at the forefront of promoting fully
sustainable bio-fuels and significantly reducing CO2 emissions."
Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel added, "Not only will the trial
help us to address carbon reduction, it will also help us develop a greater
understanding of the benefits of new bio-fuel technology, which we will be
able to share with businesses throughout the region."
Andy Webb, director, Convert2Green said, "More transport companies are
working towards reducing emissions and converting to fully sustainable and renewable fuel sources - we're delighted that Merseytravel is trialling the bio-diesel in the Stagecoach vehicles.
"An additional benefit of the scheme is that the used cooking oil we collect
and use for our fuels means less waste is sent to landfill or put down the
drains, at great cost to the utility companies."