Higher biodiesel blend in Philippines could boost coconut industry

A collaboration in the Philippines is set to see road tests within public transport vehicles of biofuel blend B5.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the University of the Philippines’ National Centre for Transportation Studies will trial the fuel, made with coconut oil, in seven jeepneys across various transport groups.

The move to B5 comes after the National Fuels Board recently approved a mandated biodiesel increase from B2.

PCA administrator Euclides Forbes was quoted as saying a successful trial would strengthen the domestic coconut market and could potentially boost income for farmers by P19.6 billion (€339.5 million).

The jeepneys, which are local bus-type vehicles, will drive on the fuel for 25 days and be tested for power efficiency and fuel economy. The first five days will still see B2 in use before the transition to the newer blend.