UK's first bioethanol pump opens

21/03/2006

The supermarket chain Morrisons is to open the first E85 pump in the UK delivering a mixture of 85% bioethanol and 15% petrol. Fuel from the pump at Morrisons' forecourt at Albion Way in Norwich can be used by specially modified cars manufactured by Ford and Saab.

Bioethanol can be made from sugar beet grain and other agricultural produce. Biofuels can play a crucial role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars said Saab UK boss Jonathan Nash.

Today's opening sends an important message to both businesses and consumers that retailers and manufacturers are taking the carbon challenge seriously said Tim Curtis director of operations at the Energy Saving Trust.

The trust is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the Department for Transport Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly government.