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Renault is the latest van manufacturer to launch a range of biodiesel-compatible vans, but an "inadequate fuel infrastructure" means they may never be offered to UK buyers. Last week the manufacturer unveiled the Trafic 2.0 dCi B30 and the Master 2.0 dCi B30 on home turf, both of which can run on a blend of up to 30% biodiesel. But a Renault UK spokesman says there are no definite plans to sell them on this side of the channel. Speaking to MT, he says: "We are loath to offer them if our customers  can't access a decent fuel supply." He says the decision to sell them in the UK may also depend on whether the "Chancellor makes it an attractive purchase proposition".

Last summer Citroën announced that all of its Euro 3 and Euro 4 HDi vans can run on a 30% blend of biodiesel without any technical modifications or detrimental effect on service intervals. "All we ask is that the relevant van's details are logged with the dealer's aftersales department, and that the fuel used complies with the EN14214 standard," a spokesman says. "The biodiesel must also be stored correctly in bunded tanks," he adds. While Citroën acknowledges that the "infrastructure isn't there at the UK's pumps yet", it says blends of more than 5% biodiesel can be readily bought in bulk. According to both Citroën and Renault, engines running on a 30% blend of biodiesel can emit up to 20% less CO2 than conventional diesels.

Share your biodiesel experiences - email: will.shiers@rbi.co.uk