Encouraging the Use of Biofuels in Public Transport

Biofuels can play an important role in reducing the environmental impact of public transportation. This article discusses the obstacles to greater adoption of biofuels as well as some ways that these obstacles can be overcome. Biofuels currently are more expensive than fossil fuels, due to high commodity prices and the relatively less efficient bio-refineries. Politics will also play an important role in the adoption of biofuels. In the European Union, the policy focus today often is on facilitating the market entry of biofuels rather than on research and development. Subsidization to compensate the extra costs of biofuels compared to fossil fuels is one approach to encouraging the use of biofuels. A second approach is the imposition of a mandatory uptake in the market. Since public transportation is often controlled by government entities and has a high public profile, buses that run on biofuels can be a powerful symbol of a government's commitment to sustainability.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/1016796X
• Authors:
  • Pelkmans, Luc
• Publication Date: 2008-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 21-23
• Serial:
  • Public Transport International
  • Volume: 57
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
  • ISSN: 1016-796X
  • Serial URL: http://www.uitp.org/publications/public-transport-magazine.cfm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biomass fuels; Buses; Costs; Market development; Political factors; Public transit
• Geographic Terms: European Union countries
• Subject Areas: Energy; Public Transportation; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01129462
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 27 2009 10:17AM