Since 1990, Rotterdam has worked with different clean technologies like natural gas, biodiesel, LPG for trucks, electric and hybrid-electric and more recent bio-ethanol (E85).
The subject of implementing clean vehicles on a large scale has been integrated into the cities Environmental Policy Plan (accorded in October 2003) and into the local and regional Traffic Policy. Regarding traffic related environmental impact; the introduction of clean vehicles is the most substantial part in the action plans for improving local and regional air-quality.
There were no FFV’s in operation when BEST was launched, but after four years of BEST there were almost 10000 FFV's in the Netherlands, 3000 of which are in the Rotterdam region
Nevertheless, the failure of the national government to implement a commitment to rescind excise taxes on E85 has been an obstacle. Rotterdam joined a national working group for E85 issues in the Netherlands. This group and local politicians in Rotterdam have informed the national government about the importance of the tax issue. Rotterdam has also introduced local measures to support market development.
E85 sales are not increasing in line with FFV sales. In sum, the BEST project has initiated a market development for FFV’s and E85 in the Rotterdam Region and the Netherlands as a whole. Moreover, the development of this market has influenced and supported other markets for clean vehicles, leading to a slow diversification of the vehicle fleet and fuel supply.