Grow Your Own Fuel

A new report from the government has stated that there needs to be more evidence before the sustainability of biofuels is determined.

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly and environment secretary Hilary Benn are both behind the paper, which states that while current biofuel policy should not be dropped, it should be changed. Indeed, the officials stated that the substance can play a part in slowing down climate change, as by 2020 around 350 million tonnes of CO2 will been saved as a result of biofuels.

Biofuels are liquid fuels that are derived from plant materials and are therefore sustainable; unlike the fossil fuels, oil and gas, which are slowly being depleted.

The biofuel bioethanol is made by fermenting the sugar components of plant materials. This comes mostly from sugar and starch crops. With advancing technology now cellulosic biomass, such as trees and grasses, are also used for feedstocks for bioethanol production.

Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases. This can be used as fuel for vehicles in its pure form requiring no further refinement. However, it is usually used as a diesel additive to reduce levels of pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from diesel powered vehicles. Biodiesel is the most common biofuel in Europe and is produced by trans-esterification from oils or fats.

Biodiesel can be manufactured on a small scale for individual use. It requires an initial investment of a few thousand pounds on average and of course you will need to get hold of the oils and fats to convert. However, it can be a successful, cost efficient and environmentally friendly endeavour for the more adventurous of us. The biodiesel produced can be used directly in your diesel car with the minimum of changes.

Car insurance customers may be interested to know that Ruth Kelly believes biofuels are "a useful contribution" to tackling carbon emissions. "Our policy should be based on the best possible science and as the evidence evolves, so too should our policy evolve with it," she said.

To find out more about this topic why not ask AnswerBank Motoring.