Australia's biofuels industry is primed for growth thanks to practical Coalition initiatives to deliver cleaner, cheaper fuels for Australian motorists.
Member for Herbert, Peter Lindsay, said initiatives announced today
will support the next stage in biofuels technology and continue
measures making ethanol more accessible to motorists.
"We are well on track to meet the Coalition's biofuels production
target of 350 million litres by 2010, with biofuels production expected
to double in 2007," Mr Lindsay said.
“But there is more to be done. The future of ethanol lies in using new
lignocellulosic sources such as woody waste rather than food crops to
produce the fuel. These second generation sources should be cheaper and
greener.
“The Coalition has committed about $10 million to research and
development into ethanol. A re-elected Coalition will reinforce this
support with $5 million invested in an exciting second generation
ethanol project in NSW.
“Ethanol Technologies’ pilot plant will test a new conversion process
which promises to produce cheaper ethanol, using less energy and water
than existing techniques.
“The Coalition will also extend the $17.2 million Ethanol Distribution
Scheme. The Scheme is making ethanol more accessible to motorists by
helping petrol stations install new, or convert existing, pumps to sell
E10-blended fuels. Grants worth up to $20,000 have helped 165 service
stations switch to supplying E10.”
"A re-elected Coalition will extend this successful scheme by 15 months
to allow service stations to apply for grants up to 30 June 2009," Mr
Lindsay said.
While many motorists are embracing biofuels, others are keen to know
more. The Coalition will work with the industry to deliver a $5 million
information campaign to help motorists make an informed choice.
The Coalition will launch a $6 million vehicle trial to test the
suitability of the B20 biodiesel blend for use in heavy vehicles. If
this trial is positive, it will help producers sell a more
competitively priced biodiesel blend into the market.
The Coalition confirmed support for its Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Vehicle scheme which provides grants of $1,000 and $2,000 to motorists
switching to LPG vehicles. The scheme has already helped 90,000
motorists switch to the cleaner, cheaper option of LPG. All these
measures are signs of the practical support the Coalition is delivering
to Australian motorists.
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