Ford plans UK bio-fuel cars

FORD is to make the first serious attempt to bring alcoholpowered cars to Britain. Such vehicles are widespread in Sweden, where they make up 80% of Ford Focus sales.

They have yet to take off in the UK, however, because garages don't sell the fuel. Now Ford's launch of an alcohol-powered Focus for Britain next month will be coupled with a major drive to boost fuel outlets.

Next year, it will supply more than 100 alcohol-fired Focus models in Somerset to council officials, police and emergency services, as well as Wessex Water.

This will coincide with a scheme to create a network of alco-pumps in local filling stations. And Wessex Grain is to set up a factory in Somerset making alco-fuel from locally-grown grain.

Alcohol for cars - known as bio-ethanol or 'bio-fuel' - is made from plants including sugar - beet, grain and even wood. It produces half the carbon emissions of petrol - and, unlike oil, which eventually runs out of supply, producers can simply grow some more. Cars need only slight modification to run on the 'green' fuel.

At a London conference yesterday, environmental groups were joined by Ford and Swedish carmaker Saab to call for Government help in providing pumps.

Campaigners say if bio-fuel replaced 5% of petrol in the UK, it would be the pollution equivalent of taking a million cars off the road. The fuel is simple to use. It is mixed with petrol and can be sold at garages with little need to alter pumps. Drivers notice no difference in vehicle performance.

In January, the Government reduced fuel duty on bio-ethanol by 20p per litre. But campaigners say more help is needed to develop a bio-fuel industry. British Sugar has applied to build the UK's first bio-ethanol production plant in Suffolk.