Biofuels could be forced on forecourts

A plan to force filling stations to provide pumps for alternative fuels is being considered by the Department of the Environment.

The proposal, put forward by AA Ireland, would see the provision of at least one pump for E85 and for biodiesel become a precondition for planning permission for all newly built or refurbished service stations.

AA public affairs manager Conor Faughnan has written to the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche and the National Roads Authority urging them to introduce the measure.

"We regularly hear from our members that they would seriously consider switching to more environmentally-friendly fuels if those fuels were more easily available.

"As a result we are recommending that the Minister takes steps to ensure that all new or newly refurbished service stations in Ireland should be required, as a condition of their planning permission, to devote at least one pump to E85 and biodiesel."

Sean O'Neill, NRA spokesman, said incorporating alternative fuels "has always been part of the plan for the new service stations on the inter-urban motorways. We are working with public private partnerships on issues such as the storage requirements for these fuels."

Making this requirement obligatory would require Government regulation. A spokesman for the Department said last night that the proposal was under consideration.

At the moment there are only 14 petrol stations with pumps supplying biodiesel or E85 ethanol fuel. The latter produces just 15 per cent of the emissions associated with petrol while biodiesel can be carbon neutral if properly sourced.

These products are almost direct replacements for petrol and diesel and can be used by most vehicles following modification to the engine.

Once modified, these fuels can be used interchangeably with normal fuels.

The most significant obstacle in the way of these fuels expanding their market share is lack of supply, says Mr Faughnan. He added that incentivising the use of these fuels would be a significant step towards Ireland meeting its Kyoto commitments.

A suggested increase in the availability of alternative fuels comes shortly after the Government made provision in the Budget to spend €270 million on 18 million overseas carbon credits, or 6 per cent of national emissions.

The Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has also stated that he plans to change the vehicle registration tax and motor tax systems and link them to a vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions.

This system, the details of which have yet to be worked out, will seek to encourage a move towards lower-emission vehicles, with purchasers of large-engined gas guzzlers paying more. These changes are due to come into effect on January 1st next, and are not retrospective.

Cyril McHugh, chief executive of the Society of Irish Motor Industry, said the sector "would be delighted" with an increase in biofuel availability.

"Maxol have moved pretty fast on this and already have a number of stations and other companies may follow. It is a chicken and egg situation. The demand has to come first and that will drive supply."

However, he said alternative fuels were only part of the solution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.