Alternative fuel and vehicle use
Hybrid Vehicles
The City is currently leasing three hybrid vehicles that combine batteries with gasoline engines, significantly reducing emissions. For tips when buying, driving, and maintaining vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, please see http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/vehicles/home.cfm. Top
Biodiesel
What is bio-diesel?
Bio-diesel is a combination of diesel and vegetable oil and/or animal fat. It is made through a chemical process that leaves behind two products -- methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).
Bio-diesel is often sold as B5, B20, B50, and B100. B20 is made up of 80% diesel fuel and 20% vegetable oil while B100 is 100% vegetable oil/animal fat. The higher the percentage of the alternative oil, the greater the cost. In order to make bio-diesel more cost-competitive, it is now exempt from the 14.3 cents-per-litre Ontario fuel tax and the federal excise tax of 4 cents-per-litre. Top
When did the City start using bio-diesel?
In 2003, Burlington Council approved a five-month pilot project to test bio-diesel (B20 in May, June, and September and B50 in July and August) for non-licensed equipment operated by the Roads and Parks Maintenance (RPM) Department. The equipment included riding mowers, loaders, graders, backhoes, and tractors. Bio-diesel was also used in the generator that kept City Hall operational during the August 2003 blackout. Bio-diesel was used again in the summers of 2004 and 2005. Top
Why is the City using bio-diesel?
Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur, and particulate matter emissions are lower from an engine running on bio-diesel than one running on petro-diesel thus reducing the emissions that contribute to global warming, acid rain, and smog. Top
Can I use bio-diesel in my diesel vehicle?
Bio-diesel can be used in standard diesel engines without any modifications. Retail bio-diesel pumps are beginning to appear across the GTA. In March 2004, Canada’s first retail bio-diesel pump opened in Unionville at the intersection of Kennedy Road and the 407. In May 2004, another pump opened in Toronto at Queen and Pape. Another pump was opened on Earth Day (April 22, 2005) in Ottawa. All pumps, which provide B20, now allow any operator of a diesel vehicle to use the fuel whereas in the past, only large fleets had access to the fuel. Top
The future of bio-diesel
In June 2004, BIOX Corporation announced the company's intention to scale up their existing 1 million litre pilot bio-diesel plant to a 60 million litre facility. When completed, the $24 million plant is expected to increase the North American supply of bio-diesel by about 50%.
For more information about bio-diesel, please refer to www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/policy/lifesciences/biodiesel.html, www.biodiesel.org, www.worldenergy.net, and www.aboutbiodiesel.com Top
