Bio-fuel can now be used in standard petrol vehicles

For the first time throughout Ireland, drivers of standard petrol powered vehicles will be able to use a bio-fuel without risk to the car manufacturer’s warranty. It is being introduced at all 150 Maxol service stations nationwide in September.

Reducing our Carbon Footprint - Pictured is Tom Noonan, Chief Executive, The Maxol Group with help from Scott and Victoria Nolan and Jake Brodeur.

Maxol is replacing its regular unleaded petrol with its new E5 fuel - a blend of petrol and up to 5% bio-ethanol which will retail at the same price as standard unleaded petrol. Maxol’s E5 fuel was successfully piloted at over 24 service stations throughout the North East of Ireland since September 2006

The bio-ethanol fuel in E5 is 100% organic and among our suppliers is the Carbery Group in Ballineen, Co. Cork which manufactures bioethanol from whey which is a milk derivative and a bi-product of its cheese manufacturing process.

The rollout of the E5 green fuel is another first for Maxol in the Irish fuels market, following on from the launch of their E85 fuel (85% bio-ethanol) in September 2005. It is also further evidence of Maxol’s commitment to renewable fuels and to helping the Irish Government meet bio fuel consumption targets set out in EU Directives. These targets require bio fuels to account for 5.75% by 2010 and 20% by 2020.

Tom Noonan Chief Executive of the Maxol Group said: “This move towards ethanol use helps Ireland to meet EU targets. It is a win for consumers who benefit from lower emission fuel at no extra cost, a win for agriculture which can now develop interests in ethanol production and a win for the economy in that it could potentially reduce our imports. 

Although 5% may seem at first to be a small percentage,  when applied to every litre of petrol that Maxol sells through its 150 service stations in the Republic of Ireland, this adds up to a very significant amount of locally produced, renewable and carbon neutral fuel. Renewable fuels are an essential part of our future and our children's future and Maxol is keen to develop initiatives in this area to help our environment. While this is simply another relatively modest step along the path towards fossil fuel substitution, I can envisage a time in the not-too-distant future when the only fuels from Maxol service stations will be bio-fuels.".

Further information on E5 is available on the following pages: