'World is watching' NZ's first biodiesel refuelling facility

Queenstown's biodiesel refuelling facility, the first of its kind in New Zealand, has attracted national and international interest.

Otago Polytechnic Centre for Sustainable Practice manager, and project leader of the Queenstown consortium, Steve Henry, said he had received numerous calls and emails from interested parties from all over New Zealand and overseas.

"I was quite stunned by the level of interest around New Zealand. I've had a number of calls and emails from the general manager of BMW in New Zealand to people in the States wanting to know how it's going. The world is watching. It's really pleasing," he said.

The Queenstown consortium's biodiesel refuelling facility at Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park Creeksyde was launched in March.

To date, 21 vehicles from 13 different companies had registered. More than 5000 litres had already been dispensed, with the tank getting topped up last week with a winter blend of fuel to trial.

He said the feedback had been "very positive".

Operators were happy with their vehicle performance and reported no noticeable difference. Some had noticed slightly more fuel efficiency.

"We are pleased that no-one has had any problems.

"That's the biggest part of the project, to get rid of the fear people have around different types of fuel," Mr Henry said.

Vehicles of various sizes, including Toyotas, Holdens, Land Rovers, Isuzu and Nissans, were all using the fuel which contains 20% biodiesel and 80% standard diesel.

Mr Henry said the centre was continuing to receive inquiries from interested businesses.

"It's a real way to reduce carbon emissions. You don't have to change your vehicle. It's an easy, high impact thing to implement," he said.

A project to introduce a regular supply of biodiesel to Dunedin was progressing really well, he said.

A group of 30 major Dunedin diesel users had met late last month to set up a consortium similar to the one in Queenstown.

Nomad Safaris managing director David Gatward-Ferguson said he had converted three trucks to the biodiesel blend.

"We have no complaints. It's all been easy-peasy, absolutely fine. I would even say they are going better on biofuel in efficiency and very low smoke. Diesel always blows a bit when put under load but they appear to be blowing less since changing to biodiesel. It seems cleaner," he said.

Two of his other vehicles, landrovers with high tech BMW engines, could not be converted.

Biodiesel cost more than regular diesel but was well worth it, he said.

Biodiesel is subsidised by the Government at 42.5c a litre and has 90% fewer carbon emissions than mineral diesel.