Biofuel gains traction with public transport in Wellington

Trials of biofuels are underway on Wellington buses following the introduction of New Zealand’s subsidies for biofuel. Mana Coach Services is running one bus on 100% biofuel, and will soon have a second one running. Service quality controller Brent Blann says the company expects to expand biofuel using lower blends and is dependent on having a secure source of supply. Bio-Energy Association of NZ Executive Officer Brian Cox says people are increasingly seeing the potential of using biodiesel blends. He adds another advantage of locally produced biofuels is that most biodiesel comes from rapeseed in Canterbury, where farmers are seeing its value as a break crop to use between their regular crop cycles. (October 29, 2009)