Statoil became the first company in Norway to offer 5 per cent bioethanol to general consumers. From January 2010 onwards 40 per cent of Statoil’s stations will be selling the new biofuel “Bensin 95”.

The new biofuel will reduce carbon emissions by about 11,000 tonnes annually.

All petrol driven vehicles can use Bensin 95 containing 5 per cent bioethanol without making any adjustments to the engine or the fuel system.

“Drivers are now able, for the first time, to refill their cars with biofuel at Statoil filling stations, regardless of whether they have petrol or diesel engines. Our customers can now help save the environment without changing their routines. This is a very pleasing development,” says managing director Dag Roger Rinde.

The introduction of more environmentally suitable petrol in Norway has been made possible by new regulations permitting the import and storage of bioethanol for use as fuel.

The addition of small amounts of biofuel has a considerable effect in volume terms.

An average family will cut its carbon emissions by about 80 kg each year when they move away from regular fuel and start tanking with Bensin 95 containing 5 per cent bioethanol. Nationwide the annual cuts as a result of Statoil’s Bensin 95-launch will amount to 11,000 tonnes.

In 2009 Statoil launched diesel with 7 percent biodiesel throughout Norway. Total emission reductions resulting from Statoil’s biofuel drive in Norway will now stand at about 66,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

To begin with, it will be the Statoil stations supplied by the Sjursøya storage facility – stations in Southern and Eastern Norway – that will market the new biofuel.

(Press release)

Rolleiv Solholm