Operators appear to be following the government's lead by adopting a lethargic approach to the roll-out of biofuels. Last week, new Transport Minister Andrew Adonis unveiled a consultation to take forward the key findings from the Gallagher Review, including the proposal that the rate of increase of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) be slowed to reach 5% by 2013-14, rather than the original timeframe of 2010-11.
The current RTFO target, introduced on 1 April, says that fuel suppliers must supply petrol and diesel with a 2.5% mix of biofuel per litre of fuel. Many haulage firms appear content with this obligatory amount and are not planning on sourcing higher blends elsewhere.
Nick Hedderly, fleet director at distribution group Circle Express, which operates a 100-strong fleet, tells MT: "Although biofuels have had no obvious negative effect on truck quality, we are not actively looking to expand the amount."
Business Post is already using a 5% biofuel blend and says as a result, fuel efficiency has improved up to 2%. However, the parcels carrier has "no immediate plans to increase this".
Paul Arthurton, owner of Norfolk-based Paul Arthurton Transport, adds that he will wait for legal compliance before he invests in biofuels. "I'm fighting to survive with fuel costs, so the priority is to keep the wheels turning. Unless the government want to offer us real incentives then we won't be investing."
Speaking at last week's Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum's Future of Biofuels conference, Dr Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, was scathing about the fact that targets are introduced "before we even understand sustainable biofuels". He adds: "There is no bio-energy policy, but companies have to comply with bio-diesel policy. The governance is so weak.
"All these frameworks are inadequate and then we throw in biofuels. Yes some can be substantial but none of the requirements to make this happen are in place."
BP and Shell have both commissioned research projects to develop sustainable fuels, however, head of UK communications for Shell, Andrew Eddy, claims it will take up to 10 years before they are available for large-scale commercial purposes.
