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By 2009 each of Renault's diesel engines will be capable of running on a 30% blend of bio-diesel (B30), although whether or not European customers will be readily able to get hold of the fuel is another matter. "We aren't confident that there will be a decent bio-diesel infrastructure by 2009," admits Renault's strategic environment and energy planning manager Phillipe Schulz. "However when you buy a van in 2009 you will be keeping it for several years, by which time the network should have improved." The  situation is likely to be even worse in the UK, where unlike in France, B30 isn't even readily available in bulk. For this reason Renault is yet to decide whether it will even offer its B30 Trafic and Master vans in the UK.

"It's a chicken and egg situation," a spokeswoman says. "Without B30 vans on the road, the fuel is unlikely to be available at the pumps, and vice versa." She goes on to explain that since early 2007 the interest in bio-diesel from UK fleet customers has grown at a phenomenal rate. "We have at least ten large fleets wanting to run B30 vans, including British Gas, Swindon Council, Oxford Council and Chubb." Renault stresses that operators who do eventually switch from running regular diesel to B30 bio-diesel are not going to see any financial advantage - only environmental. Schulz explains that although the vans cost the same, the fuel is more expensive and the servicing intervals are shorter.