V8 Supercars champ Whincup backs ethanol mandate

Six-time V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup has appeared at Brisbane’s Ekka to voice his support for an ethanol mandate.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey welcomed the Red Bull Racing driver’s backing for a policy that has environmental and economic benefits.

“V8 Supercars made the switch to ethanol blended fuel in 2009 and since that time Jamie has won five out of the last six championships,” he said.

The Palaszczuk Government is pushing for a two per cent ethanol mandate.

A Deloitte Access Economics/QUT study estimates a biofuels industry could create more than 6000 jobs in Queensland during the next two decades.

“We want to unlock the untapped potential of Queensland’s biofuels and bio-manufacturing industries to help power the state towards a cleaner, greener energy future,” Mr Bailey said.

Whincup said ethanol fuels had an important role to play in Australia’s fuel mix.

“What makes ethanol so special is simply – renewability,” he said.

“We will ultimately deplete fossil fuels, whereas ethanol is sourced from renewable crops and Australia has sustainable farming capable of supplying all our motoring needs.

“It’s a pretty obvious solution to me.”

Whincup said using ethanol in his Red Bull Racing Holden Commodore had proven to be a winner.

“Ethanol has increased detonation over octane, so the engines actually run cooler than previously, hence wear is less which extends servicing life,” he said.

“Most road cars are E10 compatible and the E85 used in V8 Supercars is suitable for use in flex fuel vehicles or those that have been converted to run on E85.”

Media contact: 0406 544 142