Biofuels Crucial to Maintain Low Carbon Environment

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Biofuels Crucial to Maintain Low Carbon Environment

AA CRITISISED FOR ‘UNSCIENTIFIC’ CONCLUSIONS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF BIOFUELS

Auckland, 18 July 2012 – The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand says it refutes claims made by motoring lobbyist AA that biofuels are less efficient, urging consumers and the Government to remember that biofuels are crucial to provide the nation’s transport fleet with alternative energy supplies and maintaining New Zealand’s adherence to a low carbon environment.

The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) says it is concerned and disappointed at reports made by AA in its magazine Directions, that tests have revealed ethanol-blended fuel from provider Gull are not as efficient as mineral only fuel.

Brian Cox, Executive Officer of BANZ claims this is an unscientific approach which is irresponsible of AA.

“The AA has made a sweeping conclusion about the effectiveness of biofuels while refusing to say how their tests were carried out - where the fuel was bought, how it was transported or the history of the vehicle used. This was not a carefully or well thought out series of research, and it is irresponsible of AA to make conclusions without basing them on facts.”

“We’re disappointed that the AA has based this one-off test on only 15 litres of fuel which also just highlights how variable the results can be – the AA should know better .”

Mr Cox went on to say that New Zealand is lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to the widespread use of biofuels, and that major economies such as Germany actively promote the use of biofuels, highlighting their effectiveness.

“Every Government around the world supports its own biofuels industry particularly those that use locally sourced, sustainable and reliable alternatives that can reduce dependence on imported fuels. We seem to persist in paying lip service to protecting our environment, but refusing to accept that biofuels have indeed come of age and they make sense in every way – financially, environmentally and politically.”

Mr Cox concluded by saying that since Gull introduced biofuels to New Zealand five years ago, the public has welcomed the alternative to traditional petrol and subsequent sales figures reflect the success and effectiveness experienced by motorists using biofuels.

ENDS

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