Biofuel cars ‘not green enough’

Planet-saving biofuels are not the environmentally friendly way forward that we have all been led to believe, according to new research.

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Pump benefits questioned
Green fuels, which power cars such as Saab’s bio-ethanol 9-5, may not be as environmentally friendly as had previously been thought.

By Marc Mustard

23rd July 2006

The claim was made by leading ecologist David Tilman of the University of Minnesota in an interview with the influential New Scientist magazine. He suggested that the amount of oil used to sow, harvest, process and convert fuel crops into usable substances - such as bio-diesel and bio-ethanol - almost negates any environmental benefits. In tests, it was shown that when all the production factors were taken into account, corn-based ethanol reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a mere 12 per cent over standard petrol. Bio-diesel offered better carbon savings (41 per cent), but only because it doesn't need to be distilled before use.

The UK Petroleum Industry Assoc-iation (UKPIA) told Auto Express that by setting aside enough British land to grow the required volume of crops, producers could risk damaging the environment in a different way. In a report, UKPIA explained: "About two million hectares could be given over to energy crops without affecting food production - enough to meet around five per cent of our fuel needs. Yet, beyond this level, major change to land use would be required, which could alter the CO2 balance."

Despite these revelations, Ford is backing alternative fuels with one of its British Motor Show stand stars. The blue oval is celebrating selling its millionth Focus in the UK with a Flexi-Fuel version that runs on bio-ethanol.

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