The supermarket chain WM Morrisons has started selling bioethanol fuel at its petrol stations.

Initially the greener alternative to traditional fuels will only be available in the east of England, with the company's Albion Way store in Norwich the first to start selling it from today.

BioEthanol E85 is 15 per cent petrol and 85 per cent bioethanol, which is made from sugar and corn.

It will retail at 2p per litre less than petrol, offers improved engine performance and is less harmful to the environment.

Drivers of regular cars will not be able to fill up from the new pumps, but both the Saab 9-5 Aero Bio Power and Ford's Flexible Fuel Vehicle will run on it.

Saab claims that its 9-5 Aero Bio Power offers 20 per cent more engine power than its petrol equivalent, while also reducing harmful emissions by up to 70 per cent.

"A transition towards bioethanol can run in parallel with the development of other, longer-term energy solutions, which could also include bioethanol as an energy-carrier for the introduction of fuel-cell technology," said Saab's Jan-Ake Jonsson.

"It is compatible with conventional petrol engines and can be supplied through the existing fuel infrastructure, without the need for any major new investment."

If E85 proves popular with motorists Morrisons is likely to roll it out across its network of petrol stations later this year.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd