Biotravel.co.uk is a new standard set in place by Explore South West. Biotravel aims to encourage the use of Biodiesel as an alternative fuel for transport in Cornwall, the country and the World. The Biotravel standard also contains a driving code of practice. The objective of the code is to increase the efficiency and life expectancy of the vehicles to prevent excessive emissions and wear and tear via adapting driving habits. The code also actively promotes the sharing of transport by offering price incentives as another method for reducing emissions.

Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today, it affects all of us – and we can all be part of the solution... Climate refers to the average weather experienced over a long period. This includes temperature, wind and rainfall patterns. The climate of the Earth is not static and has changed many times in response to a variety of natural causes. The main human influence on global climate is likely to be emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. At present, about 6.5 billion tonnes of CO2 is emitted globally each year, mostly through burning coal, oil and gas for energy. Biodiesel offers an extraordinary opportunity to run vehicles without adding to the Carbon Dioxide build up in the atmosphere. Using 100% Biodiesel (known as b100) as a fuel creats the same amount of Carbon Dioxide when combusted as it uses to produce the fuel. Therefore the net production of Carbon Dioxide is zero, or Carbon Neutral.

Biodiesel can however have a 'Carbon Footprint' if the fuel is sourced and created away from the intended area that it will be used. There will be a Carbon cost attributed to the transport of the fuel. At the moment, millions of tons of used oil and crops for production of Biodiesel are being shipped to other countries from britain to be processed. At BioTravel.co.uk, we aim to source all of our biodiesel from local producers, who in turn collect used oil from around Cornwall to make the Biodiesel.

Biodiesel does have its drawbacks. During winter months Biodiesel can gel in its pure b100 form. This means that on very cold days, there can be problems starting the vehicles. There are three possible ways to overcome this. The first is to add a percentage of normal petroleum diesel to thin the Biodiesel. A 50/50 mix is usually enough in the U.K. but in colder climates the petroleum mix would have to be increased. The second is to add certain additives to the Biodiesel. This however adds toxicity to the emissions. The third and most expensive way is to adapt your vehicle so that the Biodiesel is preheated in the tank, and again as it enters the engine. This is the most environmentally friendly solution, as emissions can actually decrease, as hotter fuel is burned more efficiently. The cost for converting vehicles is around £500 to £1000 per vehicle.