The UK’s first publicly available range of sustainable fuels is on sale now at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire.
Coryton Sustain Classic fuels allow classic car drivers to power their vehicles with plant-based petrol – with no modifications needed to the cars’ engines.
There are three types of petrol available, with up to 80 percent renewable content. Coryton engineers promise a reduction in greenhouse gases of at least 65 percent, compared with fossil fuels, from the most sustainable product.
The petrol has an octane rating of 98RON – equivalent to super unleaded – but it certainly isn’t cheap. Prices start from £3.80 per litre – that’s more than £17 a gallon…
Biofuel from waste
The Coryton fuels are second-generation biofuels, made from agricultural by-products. These include straw and waste crops that wouldn’t be used for consumption.
The fuels therefore use CO2 that is already in the atmosphere, which has been absorbed by plants as they have grown – rather than releasing additional CO2 locked in underground fossil fuel.
They also have a low, sub-one-percent mix of bioethanol, which has been specifically tailored to protect classic cars.
There are around half-a-million classic cars in the UK, and fuels such as these could bolster their sustainability for the future. However, Coryton adds that the fuel can be used by any vehicle running on standard forecourt fuel, not only classics.
Every little helps
“Every kilogram of CO2 we avoid adding to our atmosphere by replacing fossil fuel with sustainable fuel is a win,” said Coryton business development director, David Richardson.
“We don’t instantly have to go for the full switch to start making a genuine impact. As more feedstocks become available, these fuels will start to contain even higher levels of traceable sustainable elements.”
He added that current availability of truly fossil-free fuel components is limited, but development is underway.
“The industry will get there with the right support – which is why we think it’s important to start getting these products into the hands of consumers so they can see how easy and effective the switch could be.”
Coryton sustainable fuel at Bicester Heritage
Super 80
- At least 80 percent renewable content
- At least 65 percent greenhouse gas saving compared to fossil fuels
- 98RON
- £4.65 per litre
Super 33
- At least 33 percent renewable content
- At least 25 percent greenhouse gas saving compared to fossil fuels
- 98RON
- £3.80 per litre
Racing 50
- At least 50 percent renewable content
- At least 35 percent greenhouse gas saving compared to fossil fuels
- 102RON
- £5.24 per litre
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