Bio
fuels concerns for classic car enthusiasts
The recommendations of the report commissioned by the DfT (UK
Department of Transport) from Qinetiq, the defence research
company, on the effects of fuels with a higher ethanol content
are expected to be available early in the New Year.
Biofuel additives may be available soon containing corrosion
inhibitor, stability improver and biocide products. More
Damaging
effects of bio fuels on classic cars
More
Posted: 231210
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Report
on the effects of fuels with a higher ethanol content
The recommendations of the report commissioned by
the DfT (UK Department of Transport) from Qinetiq,
the defence research company, on the effects of
fuels with a higher ethanol content are expected
to be available early in the New Year. The release
of that report is eagerly awaited by many classic
car groups as there are serious concerns over the
damaging effects of increased levels of ethanol
on the fuel systems of classic cars.
EU directives and increased bio-ethanol in motor
fuels
The EU has issued directives to increase the uptake
of renewable fuels throughout Europe as part of
the campaign to slow climate change. In addition,
air quality concerns have been responsible for progressive
reductions in sulphur in heavier fuels such as diesel.
The net outcome of these EU directives is the inclusion
of bio-ethanol in petrol and the inclusion of components
such as vegetable oils in diesel fuels, in addition
to the reduction in sulphur content.
The concern for classic car enthusiasts is the proposal
to increase the permitted ethanol content in petrol
from 5% to 10% in 2013 although it is believed there
will be a transition requirement to continue to
offer fuels with a limit of 5% ethanol until 2013.
After that date it is assumed that such fuels will
be harder to find and may disappear.
So
as part of the DfT's preparations a consultation
was launched in April 2010 on draft regulations
which would amend the Motor Fuel (Composition and
Content) Regulations 1999 to implement European
Directive 2009/30/EC with respect to fuel quality.
The consultation ran until 30th September 2010 and
various motoring bodies submitted their views including
the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs
(FBHVC). You can see the FBHVC's submission on their
website but essentially they highlighted the key
concerns of classic car enthusiasts.
FBHVC
submission |
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