Within the transport sector, road transport is by far the leading energy consumer. In 2004 road transport was responsible for 30% of the region’s total energy consumption. In the autonomous Community of the Basque Country, transport's relative contribution to CO2 emissions have grown 70% between 1990 and 2000.
The Basque Government is promoting the use of new energy sources in transport. A number of successful schemes have been carried out involving the use of natural gas and biodiesel in transport.
It is clear that in order to reduce CO2 emissions, fuel savings need to be achieved and petroleum fuels replaced by other fuels derived from vegetable matter. (oil-bearing crops or crops with high sugar or starch contents). Going ahead of the target set for the EU, the Basque Government proposes that by 2010, 11.9% of the energy consumed in the transport sector should come from biofuels.
BEST Activities
At the beginning of the project, there were no flexi-fuel vehicles and no bioethanol filling stations in the Basque Country. By the end of 2009, there was 10 E85 pumps , contributing towards a total of 35 biofuel pumps (there are also 25 biodiesel pumps) and EVE is aiming for 60 pumps, most selling both
biodiesel and bioethanol, in the near future.
At present Ford, Saab, Volvo and Renault offer models in the Basque market. Most FFV’s operating in the region are owned by municipalities and institutions.
Site coordinator in Basque Country: EVE – Ente Vasco de la Energía