*This project has been closed following member feedback; Zemo will continue to focus on the use of high blend renewable fuels in other sectors.*
Background and Challenge
The UK Government announced a new economy wide target of 78% GHG emissions reduction by 2035, against a 1990 baseline. The next decade is critically important in terms of accelerating the reduction of road transport GHG emissions and delivering measures to meet the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) 2032 target. Whilst UK transport policy is heavily focused on decarbonising light duty vehicles through electrification, the concurrent adoption of higher blends of renewable fuels in petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles offers a significant opportunity for near-term GHG emissions savings.
Zemo Partnership will examine opportunities for going beyond the current blend wall for biofuels in diesel and petrol internal combustion engine vehicles (including hybrids). It will also look at the role of drop-in renewable fuels within this and the potential GHG emissions savings that could be achieved in the fossil fuel light duty vehicle (LDV) market.
Objectives
- To determine vehicle compatibility for biofuel blends above diesel B7 and ethanol E10.
- To identify the role that drop-in renewable fuels can play in decarbonising gasoline and diesel.
- To identify barriers to the adoption of higher blend renewable fuels in LDVs with examples of interventions to help overcome these challenges.
- To estimate the cumulative GHG emissions savings possible through the deployment of high blend renewable fuels in LDVs between 2020 and 2050, taking account of the concurrent electrification of the LDV fleet and end of ICE sales.
Actions and Outputs
- Undertake stakeholder engagement including with biofuel suppliers and automotive manufacturers.
- Develop an LDV fleet model and perform desk-based research.
- Produce a short summary report.
Timeline
October 2021 – March 2022
(Pending Sponsorship)