GM Vauxhall Begins B30 Commercial Van Customer Trials in UK
24 April 2007
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| The B30-compatible Vivaro. |
GM’s Vauxhall has introduced B30-compatible models of its Vivaro and Movano panel vans, and will begin trials with two key fleet customers.
The biodiesel B30-compatible models use the existing 2.0 CDTI Vivaro and 2.5 CDTI 98 hp and 118 hp Movano engines, and offer up to 20% less CO2 emissions on a ‘source to wheels’ basis compared to the standard Euro 4-compliant diesel units.
As part of a controlled fleet trial, a number of vans will run on biodiesel B30 across the country as GM and Vauxhall investigate the long-term potential for the fuel in the UK, and look towards a more widespread distribution network for it.
Vauxhall is also calling on the UK government to look at establishing a quality specification for the fuel.
In August 2006, Citroën announced it was 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. (Earlier post.)
...and in other news, SRI consulting has put forth a report published in a Chemistry journal with the underlying claim that Emissions from farming for rapeseed converted to Bio-diesel are equal to just using diesel (total life cycle emissions) due mainly to the NO2 released. They further say planting trees in the field used for rapeseed farming while burning diesel would give a net reduction of CO2 emissions by 1/3 of the biodiesel emissions.
Posted by: Patrick | 24 April 2007 at 03:56 PM
Patric;
I think the point for any bio fueled vehicle (E85, B20, etc.) is that we need a viable source for the fuel. Right now the processes we know are inefficient, but they work. In the future we should be able to replace those with a more efficient process.
A good example is ethanol. To grow corn just to turn it into ethanol is waste full. My understanding is that method uses twice as much petrol fuel to produce as is replaces. On the other hand if the scientists ever figure out the celliuos process, then we could process all the plant matter that other wise is just waste. Similar to growing soy for bio-diesel. It would be much more efficient to produce it from algae.
Point is, in the alternative fuel markets, we need a consumer in order for the producers to see a reason to make an economic case for the fuels. The whole chicken and egg scenario. Once we have a stable demand for it the producers will find a why to make it cheaper (to max their profits of course). I see the same situation for hydrogen, even if others don't.
Jason
Posted by: Jason | 24 April 2007 at 08:02 PM
The clever money will bypass this stupid biofuels fashion and
buy the Tanfield Smith Newton van !
Posted by: andrichrose | 25 April 2007 at 06:15 AM
Hey, these diesel panel vans would make incredible replacements for GM's current US van line-up! Daimler-Chrysler brought us the Sprinters. Where are GM's and Ford's diesel offerings?
Imagine if every business in the US would replace their current aging 13mpg gasoline panel vans with more versatile 25mpg diesel models that can run on Bio-Diesel to boot! UPS, FedEx, and DHL have already done it. Seems like a no-brainer...
Posted by: DieselHybrid | 25 April 2007 at 08:14 AM
At the Commercial Vehicle Show in UK yesterday, MB had the new CNG Sprinter on show. First time they have built a CNG Sprinter from first principles (has been petrol conversion in the past). Key points:
- EEV emissions standard, 25% less CO2 than petrol, zero CO2 if on bio-methane
- Available Q1 2008
- Range 450km on CNG, but can also run on petrol (total range 1100 km)
With 800 CNG stations now in Germany, this vehicle will sell in huge numbers. Being trialled in Germany by DHL, Deutsche Post and UPS. At last, a high performance vehicle that is low emissions (EEV) and low CO2.
Exciting times.
Posted by: John Baldwin | 27 April 2007 at 03:34 AM
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Posted by: Marian | 21 May 2007 at 08:00 PM