Citroën UK Runs its Own Fleet on B30 Biodiesel Blend
07 August 2006
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| B30 C4. Click to enlarge. |
Citroën is now running its UK Head Office-based diesel cars and vans, including all those used by the media, on a 30% biodiesel blend. The B30 blend can be used in all current Citroën diesel vehicles without any modifications.
The promotion of a B30 blend comes at a time when the EU is pressing hard for increased production of plant-derived products. Brussels has tasked the motor and oil industries with collectively reducing CO2 emissions to 120g/km by 2012, compared to the current average of 160g/km. Meanwhile, the UK’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation is targeting sales of biofuels to account for 5% of all fuel by 2010—a twenty-fold increase over today’s sales.
Citroën is sourcing the 30% biodiesel from Total. Citroën estimates that the use of B30 will reduce net CO2 emissions by about 20%.
Citroën offers a full diesel range in the UK, with the 1.4 HDi Citroën C1 tying with the Toyota Aygo as the most fuel-efficient diesel offered in the UK, according to figures from the UK government, with combined fuel consumption of 4.1 liters/100km (57 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.
Am I to understand that 109 g/km of CO2 is calculated based on the use of coventional petroleum diesel?
Posted by: NBK-Boston | 07 August 2006 at 02:39 PM
Am I to understand that 109 g/km of CO2 is calculated based on the use of coventional petroleum diesel?
Yes, you are correct. Presumably 20% lower on B30.
Posted by: JN2 | 07 August 2006 at 03:20 PM
The Toyota/Citroen petrol engine in the C1 is far cleaner as the Diesel engine. The small 1.0l patrol engine is even more poverful than the Diesel. CO2 emissions are the same! So, were is the advantage of the Diesel in the C1? Use E85 and the result would even be more better for the patrol engine.
Posted by: Michael | 08 August 2006 at 05:24 AM
I think we need to discuss the Citroen C1 a bit. This car (and its sisters the Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo) use a different approach to high effeciency. They are very small, light and cheap. They are also modern and as safe as possible for a car of this size.
This is "small car" technology which can go alongside diesel and hybrid. As seen, it can go with diesel, but might get too expensive with hybrid. These cars get 61 mpg (imperial) in petrol mode (mixed cycle) and 69 mpg for the diesels. They would have been designed before the petrol price increases as city cars (not Town cars), and could presumably be optimised further.
"Small car" technology should not be overlooked !
Posted by: mahonj | 08 August 2006 at 07:05 AM
The article reports on CO2, but avoids mention of PM (Particulate Matter) or NOx (Nitrous Oxides) emissions. Nor is there any mention of the after treament used.
Posted by: jcwinnie | 08 August 2006 at 08:43 AM
JN1: I think its the 30% Biodiesel blend ratio that is a continuing breakthrough for the clean & degradable biodiesel. I also think biodiesel is able to be produced from more variety & quantity (e.g. palm oil) of feedstock than ethanol, thus maybe the combined atmosphere co2 absorbtion rate is higher, besides the food loss/subsitution effect of ethanol (e.g. corn) ?
Posted by: Fishlipps | 08 August 2006 at 08:57 AM