Thailand ramps up ethanol consumption

Thailand's public buses could soon run on E95

Between March and September 2011 Thailand's government will launch an E95 bus fleet trial to test the viability of replacing the current diesel- and LNG-fueled buses with a 95% ethanol blend.

1.3 million litres a day of ethanol are consumed by the nation today, but the government is hoping to ramp this up to 9 million litres a day by 2022.

The buses used in the trial will come from heavy truck, bus and coach manufacturer, Sweden-based Scania.

The estimated 1,000 public buses on Thailand's roads today are thought to consume around 50 million litres of biodiesel a day. Should these be replaced with E95-powered ones, the nation's ethanol use will rise to 100,000 litres a day and decrease diesel use by 60,000 litres a day.

50% of the Bt 20 million (€470,405) project will be funded by the Energy Conservation Fund, while the remaining 50% will come from sponsorship by the private sector.

source: biofuels-news