HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc768-9W
Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of fuel sold in the UK in 2001 was biodiesel; and what proportion of overall fuel sales his Department estimates will be biodiesel in(a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004, (d) 2005 and (e) 2006. [59731]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

Currently, we estimate biodiesel production to be approximately 0.1 per cent. of road transport diesel consumption in 2001. The Government expect this figure to rise substantially with the introduction of a 20p fuel duty reduction for biodiesel. Preliminary projections collected from the industry suggest that existing and planned production would represent around 1.5 per cent. pure biodiesel by 2003, likely to be used as a 5 per cent. blend with conventional diesel. The Government have made no further estimates beyond this date.

Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage of new cars sold in the last 12 months(a) were capable of running on biodiesel and (b) had diesel engines. [59732]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

  1. (a)Nearly all diesel car manufacturers warranty their new vehicles to run on blends of at least 5 per cent. biodiesel. Some manufacturers warranty their vehicles at higher blending levels.
  2. (b) The Department's own figures show that 17.83 per cent. of new cars sold in the last 12 months were diesels.

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