21/02/2006

• Use of product rolled out to 1,800 buses in Scotland and England
• Initiative will improve environmental sustainability of bus operations

Stagecoach has expanded the use of biodiesel to 1,800 vehicles in its UK bus fleet in a move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

The move follows a three-month pilot project at a number of Stagecoach bus depots in the North-east and North-west of England.

Stagecoach has rolled out the use of biodiesel to cover 28 depots in Scotland, and the North-east and North-west of England. The number of buses using the new fuel will be expanded elsewhere in the UK according to the availability of suppliers.

Biodiesel is a blend of 95% diesel and 5% bio-matter, which can be derived from soy, palm, rape, jetropha, sunflower and used cooking oil.

Stagecoach is sourcing its biodiesel through one of its current fuel suppliers, Teesside-based Petroplus, whose Bio-plus product meets EN590 and EN14214 Quality Assurance standards.

Bio-diesel, whose use does not require any engine modifications, is a low carbon fuel. The plants that are grown to produce the seeds that release oils for use in bio-diesel absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.

Adrian Havlin, Stagecoach’s Group Technical Engineer, said: “This is another step in our ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and make them more sustainable.

“Tests have shown that biodiesel can reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency with no additional cost. We now hope to encourage the rest of our fuel suppliers to offer this type of product in the future to allow us to use biodiesel in as many of our UK bus operations as possible.”

Craig Falconer, National Contracts Manager, Petroplus Refining Teesside Ltd, said: “Petroplus are pleased to be able to help Stagecoach reduce the impact of their operations on the environment by working closely with them to fuel their bus fleet in Northern England and Scotland with Bio-plus.

"Bio-plus is an environmentally friendly fuel that allows for a cleaner, hotter burn in a vehicle’s engine. This increased temperature reduces green house gas emissions by burning off more harmful elements prior to reaching the exhaust pipe. Bio-plus also has a natural lubricity that helps reduce wear and tear on fuel pumps. Customers have also reported an increase in fuel efficiency, again helping reduce harmful emissions.”

Stagecoach has already rolled out the use of the next-generation fuel additive Envirox™ across its entire UK bus fleet after the success of a 12-month commercial evaluation. Tests of the product delivered more than a 5% cut in fuel consumption and an associated decrease in vehicle emissions.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or 07764 774 680
Email: steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

Stagecoach is one of UK’s biggest bus and coach operators, connecting communities in more than 100 towns and cities. The company runs over 8,000 vehicles from Devon in south-west England to Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland, carrying around 2 million passengers every day.