UK Government launches biofuels awareness campaign

Last week, the UK Government launched the ‘Know Your Fuel’ campaign, aimed at encouraging drivers to consider the environmental impact of their journeys and fill up with biofuel blends.

From 6 June, petrol stations across the UK will begin to roll out new labels to help educate drivers on the benefits of biofuels, according to a government press release.

Petrol, which is blended with up to 5% renewable ethanol, will be labelled E5, while diesel, which contains up to 7% biodiesel, will be labelled B7.

The campaign follows a government commitment to end the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2040, set out in the Road to Zero strategy.

“Drivers should be aware of the environmental impact of their travel choices, and seeing this when they are buying fuel can help remind them why decarbonising transport is so important,” said transport minister Michael Ellis.

“Biofuels are a key way of achieving the emissions reductions the UK needs, and their use reduced CO₂ emissions by 2.7 million tonnes last year alone – the equivalent of taking around 1.2 million cars off the road. Our new campaign will help drivers understand the role of biofuels, while also choosing the right fuel for their vehicle at home and abroad.”

Erik Rietkirk, CEO of UK biodiesel producer Argent Energy, added: “These labels are crucial for informing the public about what the UK is doing to decarbonise transport. Making the most of the huge environmental benefits of sustainable biofuels makes complete sense, and can help reduce emissions during the transition to a low carbon future.”

The campaign is part of a government initiative to help people in the UK make more conscious transport choices and understand how their journeys contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.