The confusion of biofuel

THE subject of biofuel is so confusing and complicated, (unsurprisingly), and I quite agree with Pam that it's been badly thought through, writes Lisa Machin.

I've just been talking to our fuel supplier, and picking his brains about the whole issue. What he is telling me, and I have no reason to think he's wrong, is that bio-free fuel will only be sold for purposes such as central heating, running a generator etc.

Loophole?

Reluctance on the part of boatyards doesn't come into it, any fuel that is to go into a motor engine of any type, including boats, mowing machines, tractors, diggers, must by law be the new bio mix. So I'm not sure why BW think they can go on selling bio-free fuel in its marinas. If there's a loophole I'm missing, do let me know!

The original intention was to bring it in from the beginning of January, but because of the weather this has been put back to February 1st, so all diesel supplied to boatyards after that date will have the bio added (about 7%). Our supplier's advice is to make sure inline filters are working properly and don't leave fuel in a tank for long periods—he suggested six months at the most—which concurs with advice we've been given elsewhere.

Agricultural machinery

The example he used was seasonally used agricultural machinery, but I suspect it's easier for a farmer to find a use for drained-down diesel than for the average boater. He didn't think it would be necessary to change fuel lines as long as they are clean to start with.

I agree this is another daft regulation that we probably don't need, but as we're going to have to deal with it at least we need to know the impact. Ah well, back to the (unpaid) job of doing the government's admin for it

Lisa Machin