Advanced biofuel coming to Guernsey in "coming weeks"

Friday 07 February 2020

Rubis has this week announced it is launching a new product, in Jersey - an advanced biofuel called RD100 - with a promise to bring it to Guernsey soon too.

The diesel alternative which claims to be able to outperform normal diesel and cut emissions from Diesel engines by up to 90%, is refined from 100% renewable sources, mainly waste cooking oils and fats.

Rubis said it is first bringing the renewable diesel to Jersey, which will make it the 11th 'country' in the world to offer the product - but plans are to extend it to Guernsey as soon as the logistics are in place.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Rubis intends to extend its supply of RD100 to Guernsey in the coming weeks once logistics are finalised. The plan is to launch Renewable Diesel to  vehicle fleet owners in the island before making the fuel available to the general public, more information will be out in due course.”

Pictured: At a local level, air quality would improve, with a significant reduction in smoke, particulates, NOx and carbon monoxide. Then at a global level the carbon emissions during the lifecycle of the fuel are reduced by up to 90%, because the carbon being released in the atmosphere is offset by the carbon absorbed by plants in the production of the fuel, creating a virtuous global carbon cycle. 

Initially, the fuel is going to be made available to large fleet users. This is because of a limited supply of the biofuel. But trials have been taking place for a number of months already in Jersey, with positive reports all around, including marked improvements in both engine performance and reduced smoke emissions. 

Pictured: The cost of the fuel is higher than other diesel, but currently, Rubis are only only supplying direct to businesses for their fleets vehicles.

"We have been trialling RD100 in our fleet and have seen a noticeable difference in performance," Nick Crolla, Rubis' Head of Sales and Marketing, said. He also announced the fuel business had been working with PDFS and 4Hire to test the fuel on their commercial fleets as well.

"We even undertook the simple test of placing a white cloth on the exhaust of our trucks; the results are incredible: with diesel the fabric becomes dirty and black within seconds. With RD100, the fabric stays clean. Local businesses driving diesel vans and wanting to reduce their carbon emissions but having difficulty financing an electric vehicle will not hesitate to switch. This is a great opportunity for large fleet users like the States and Parishes to consider changing their fuel to be exemplary in Jersey’s drive to reduce carbon emissions.”

Pictured: RD100 is produced using waste fats, residues and vegetable oils and is classified as a Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil. RD100 has an identical chemical structure to regular diesel and can therefore replace fossil diesel today. It does contain small amounts of palm oil though - up to a maximum of 20%.

Bertrand Dellinger, Managing Director of Rubis Channel Islands added that he knew "much of the hype" at the moment was around electric vehicles, but said the islands could not wait until they become affordable in a cost sense, and in an infrastructure.

"We all recognise the need to reduce carbon emissions globally, electric vehicles are of course one option but, for many, they are expensive, not in plentiful supply and may not be the best long-term solution, due to the environmental and financial cost of building, replacing and recycling the batteries," he said.

"RD100 is a solution for the transition and can make a difference today. Rubis is leading hydrocarbon transition, supporting the government and community in their aim for carbon neutrality."

Pictured top: The bio fuel is a type of green diesel.