'DROP-IN' FUELS: ARE THEY REALLY A VIABLE QUICK FIX?

WHEN THE DISCUSSION around greenhouse gases from the transport sector really got going years ago, it was often said that the quickest way reduce CO2 emissions was not to change the powertrain technology but the fuel.

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Introducing a new model from scratch takes several years. Then add to that the ongoing debate as to which alternative to the internal combustion engine is best in the long term and the changeover period extends to decades.

Some inroads have been made by blending biofuel with petrol and diesel, but petrol and diesel burned in the UK is still predominantly fossil fuel. Now, though, there is increasing interest in developing fuels for spark-ignition and oilburner engines that are 100% fossil-free.