03 May 01 00:00
Volvo has issued a statement warning against the growing popularity of organic diesel fuel, or "biodiesel". Biodiesel, derived from rapeseed oil or recycled cooking oil (Indian food company Sharwoods runs a fleet of lorries on leftover poppadum oil), is often suggested as a "fuel of the future", with its sustainable sources and natural properties, and is particularly popular in Scandinavian countries. The UK Government recently cut the tax on biodiesel in the latest Budget to make it 20p a litre cheaper than low-sulphur diesel, as part of its scheme of incentives to encourage alternative fuel use.
But Volvo says, "As part of its own research into biodiesel and based on recent Swedish research, Volvo claims biodiesel is dirtier, smellier and less fuel-efficient than low-sulphur diesel, and engines are more costly to maintain." John Pitts, Environment Manager at Volvo Car UK, went on to say, "Our Swedish parent company has looked into this subject very thoroughly and the results do not look good for biodiesel. The most alarming statistic form Swedish research says biodiesel emissions are 10 times more carcinogenic than standard low-sulphur diesel used in Sweden. Tailpipe emissions of 'smog forming' oxides of nitrogen can be up to 40% higher than (traditional) diesel engines. Combine that with a 10% drop in performance and fuel consumption when running on pure rapeseed oil and the fact that your car exhaust will constantly smell like greasy chips and the future of biodiesel looks grim."
Volvo also claims that biodiesel does not work well at low temperatures, turning into the texture of margarine at minus-14 degrees Celsius, and that any fuel heater installed needs to be cleaned every six months. It also puts doubt on the ability to meet demands. The company's conclusion is that in future, there will be a wide range of alternative fuels to choose from, and that it is currently putting its faith in gas-powered drivelines. John Pitts said, "There is no perfect fuel, even hydrogen doesn't have all the answers. They all have their own individual benefits and problems. Biodiesel may well be one of these future fuel choices but at Volvo we favour fuels like methane or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) which have a much stronger wheel-to-well environmental profile". It's no coincidence that Volvo is about to launch a new range of LPG- and CNG-powered vehicles.
