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VVaitrose trials five trucks on rapeseed oil
Page 18
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SUPERMARKET CHAIN Waitrose is launching a six-month trial of five trucks modified to run on rapeseed oil. If the trials are successful the company plans to roll out this technology across its fleet of 300 vehicles.
A spokeswoman says: "Rapeseed oil deserves looking at more carefully. We know that during the creation of the oil there's a relatively low carbon footprint compared to other biofuels. In preference to biodiesel there's a cleaner production process; there's no chemical process to change its molecular structure. It also has relatively low energy requirements: around 20% lower than that needed for the production of biodiesel."
She describes the changes needed to convert the trucks as "minor adaptations" to cope with the viscosity of rapeseed oil; during the trial the biofuel will be contained in an additional fuel tank.
She adds: "Another advantage is that rapeseed oil is grown in the UK. We would want sustainable resources; so it wouldn't be sustainable if inthe long-term land that is currently used in food production was cleared for rapeseed but it's often grown as a break crop [ie grown within an agricultural cycle to
replenish nutrients in the soil]."
"Rapeseed oil is delivered to us commercially and vehicles are filled up in much the same way [as normal fuel]." She reports that fuel consumption is comparable with Waitrose's conventional diesel trucks at about 10.5mpg. Its fleet comprises Dafs and Volvos.