Brazilhas been among the forerunners when it comes to embracing biofuels for vehicles – and now it is expected to make another significant stride forward by powering its buses with sugar.
Amyris Brasil will supply renewable diesel during a 12month fleet test involving 20 city buses inRio de Janeiro. The renewable fuel will be derived from sugarcane and will be blended at a 30 per cent rate with petrol derived diesel. TheRiotransportation federation, FETRANSPOR, will then use the data collected during the test to evaluate the engine and the environmental benefits of the renewable diesel.
John Melo, the CEO of Amyris, commented that it would be the first large scale use of the blend at 30 per cent inBrazil.
Currently, the city ofRio de Janeirohas more than 8,000 buses which consume around 280million litres of diesel per year. The fleet test is expected to validate the reduction of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions with a 30 per cent blend of the company’s renewable diesel.
