Higher biodiesel blend in Philippines could boost coconut industry

A collaboration in the Philippines is set to perform road tests with public transport vehicles of biofuel blend B5.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the University of the Philippines’ National Center for Transportation Studies will conduct trials of the fuel made with coconut oil in seven jeepneys across various transport groups.
The move to B5 comes after the National Fuels Board recently approved a mandated biodiesel increase from B2.
PCA Administrator Euclides Forbes was quoted as saying a successful trial would strengthen the domestic coconut market and could potentially boost income for farmers by PHP19.6 billion (USD451 million).
The jeepneys, which are local bus-type vehicles, will be driven using the fuel for 25 days and will be tested for power efficiency and fuel economy. The first five days will still use B2 before the transition to the newer blend.
(August 2, 2013)