More flex-fuel vehicles to boost use of biofuels

The use and development of biofuels in the Philippines is expected to be enhanced with the decision of Japan to produce more flex-fuel vehicles.

Philippine Coconut Authority-7 regional manager Deodiro Ravelo said Japan, whose automakers supply most of the vehicles in the Philippines, recently announced it will encourage the production of flex-fuel vehicles as they expanded their fuel choices.

He learned of the decision during the talks between Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Arroyo in between the Asian-Europe Meeting.

With this, Ravelo said the promotion and production of biofuel, be it from coconut or jathropa (tuba-tuba), is expected to go full swing.

PCA is among the first government agencies which ventured into the production of biofuel through coconut diesel.

Just recently, the agency ordered the mass plantation of jathropa to be intercropped among coconut plantations.

With the production of biofuel-friendly vehicles, Ravelo said, it will certainly encourage and perfect the production of biofuels.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said Japan's thrust simply pushed efforts to promote the use of biofuels.

"Vehicles are pillars in the government's biofuels program," Lotilla said.

Also, he said the inherent limitation on blends that can be used in vehicles will hinder the popularization of biofuels use.

If Japanese vehicle manufacturers would produce flex-fuel vehicles that could be sold in the country, this would help push use of biofuels, he stressed.

Flex-fuel vehicles have single tanks, fuel systems and engines and these are designed to run on both unleaded gasoline and alcohol fuel in any mixture. - Ferliza C. Contratista