Bentley installs biofuel tank at Crewe

Bentley has now installed a biofuel tank at its headquarters at Crewe.

On-site is a 200-liter renewable fuel bowser — which may appear unremarkable — but according to the British automotive brand, has enabled vehicles from the Bentley Heritage Collection and press fleet to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) impact by approximately 85 percent.

Further, the second-generation biofuel tank in the carmaker’s headquarters conforms to the global EN228 standard for gasoline, which means that it’s a straightforward replacement for normal pump fuel. That said, no engine modifications are required to use the said fuel, even for the oldest surviving Bentley, the 1920 EXP2.

“Unlike first-generation biofuels, which are made from food crops grown on arable land, second-generation biofuels use waste products, including agriculture and forestry waste and food industry byproducts. During the production process waste biomass is broken down using fermentation, leading to the creation of ethanol. Dehydration of the ethanol converts it to ethylene, which can then be transformed into gasoline through the process of oligomerization — chaining short hydrocarbon molecules together to produce longer, more energy-dense ones. The fuel produced is 100 percent renewable and delivers an estimated 85 percent reduction in CO2 impact compared with conventional gasoline. By using waste materials that would otherwise be disposed of, second-generation biofuel avoids the ‘food versus fuel’ dilemma associated with first-generation biofuels,” Bentley explained in a press release.

Thanks to the newly-installed biofuel tank, Bentley’s Crewe site will further reduce its environmental impact.

To note, Bentley used the said biofuel to power its six-strong fleet at Goodwood, which successfully completed all 32 Hill Climbs.

While many in the country now believe that the future indeed is electric, Bentley’s adoption of the second-generation biofuel might provide us with an alternative to a cleaner, greener means of mobility.

On that note, such a solution for environmentally-friendly fuels could work better for countries like the Philippines as Filipino car owners will not be required to make any modifications to their vehicles nor would they have to immediately transition — and in the process spend money — to driving battery-electric vehicles.  

Photos from Bentley

Also read: 

Bentley looks back at 75 years of production in Crewe

Bentley expands photovoltaic system in Crewe

Bentley ‘Dream Factory’ reduces environmental impact despite increased vehicle production