Published Sunday, 03 December, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
QUEENSLAND IS DRIVING RENEWABLE FUELS INDUSTRY: PREMIER
Premier Peter Beattie today applauded BP Australia and Saab Australia for delivering on Queensland Government’s biofuels strategy.
The strategy aims to promote alternative fuels, open up new markets for primary producers and create jobs in the emerging ethanol industry.
“Queensland has been driving the biofuels charge in Australia since 2003 and today we are seeing real results, thanks to BP and Saab,” Mr Beattie said in Toowoomba where Community Cabinet is meeting.
“BP has chosen Queensland as a major focus for its ethanol fuel (e10) because the commercial environment is right,” he said. “That means our strategy is working – we are promoting alternative fuels to consumers and our supply chain is the best in the country.
“I’m delighted today to announce BP-branded stations in Toowoomba will be selling the New BP Unleaded petrol, with 8 of its 9 local stations replacing regular unleaded altogether with the e10 blend.
“This makes Toowoomba the second of BP’s e10 cities in Queensland, following on from the BP/Reliance partnership in Mackay which changed over in August. And more are on the way.
“I want to congratulate BP Australia President Gerry Hueston for joining the e10 push into Queensland. It’s the way of the future.”
In another major coup for the Smart State, Mr Beattie unveiled Saab’s first Australian BioPower vehicle – the leading environmentally friendly car in Saab’s home market of Sweden where ethanol vehicles now outsell hybrid and LPG cars by 10:1
“Not only is Queensland getting a sneak preview of smart technology, I am delighted the Smart State has been chosen by Saab for its first Australian trial of BioPower, with Australia’s first ethanol vehicles joining QFleet early next year,” Mr Beattie said.
Two BioPower production vehicles are on display at Community Cabinet in Toowoomba from December 3-4. They are a flex fuel version of the Saab 9-5 vehicle and can run on a range of fuel, from petrol to e85, and from the one fuel tank.
“Pushing the boundaries of technology will not only give Queenslanders more reason to embrace biofuels but it will drive the development of the ethanol industry and create more jobs, jobs, jobs,” said the Premier.
“Congratulations to Sabb, and thank you to Saab Australia Director Parveen Batish for joining the Smart State’s investment in the industries of the future.
“While it might be some time before fuel blends above e10 are commercially available in Australia, blended fuels are here to stay and we’re only just starting to tap into their potential.”
Through the Queensland Government Ethanol Industry Action Plan, the State Government is investing $7.3 million, with $5.1 million to help service stations covert to new fuels, and $2.2 million to build consumer confidence at the bowser.
BP Australia
BP Australia President Gerry Hueston said: “This is BP demonstrating how e10 can be brought successfully into the mainstream, rather than simply being a niche fuel. And this is key to our strategy. Positive engagement with governments is also very important.”
Saab
Director of Saab Australia Mr Parveen Batish praised the Queensland community for its interest in renewable fuels. He said: "Australia is the first country outside Europe to trial BioPower. As a result of Queensland's leadership in championing ethanol Saab has chosen the sugarcane growing area of Norwell for the vehicle’s official launch in January. We hope that with the availability of a vehicle like Saab BioPower the community can take the next step towards considering the introduction of ethanol as an alternative, renewable fuel for consumers.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Premier’s Office 3224 4500, 0418 795 940
The strategy aims to promote alternative fuels, open up new markets for primary producers and create jobs in the emerging ethanol industry.
“Queensland has been driving the biofuels charge in Australia since 2003 and today we are seeing real results, thanks to BP and Saab,” Mr Beattie said in Toowoomba where Community Cabinet is meeting.
“BP has chosen Queensland as a major focus for its ethanol fuel (e10) because the commercial environment is right,” he said. “That means our strategy is working – we are promoting alternative fuels to consumers and our supply chain is the best in the country.
“I’m delighted today to announce BP-branded stations in Toowoomba will be selling the New BP Unleaded petrol, with 8 of its 9 local stations replacing regular unleaded altogether with the e10 blend.
“This makes Toowoomba the second of BP’s e10 cities in Queensland, following on from the BP/Reliance partnership in Mackay which changed over in August. And more are on the way.
“I want to congratulate BP Australia President Gerry Hueston for joining the e10 push into Queensland. It’s the way of the future.”
In another major coup for the Smart State, Mr Beattie unveiled Saab’s first Australian BioPower vehicle – the leading environmentally friendly car in Saab’s home market of Sweden where ethanol vehicles now outsell hybrid and LPG cars by 10:1
“Not only is Queensland getting a sneak preview of smart technology, I am delighted the Smart State has been chosen by Saab for its first Australian trial of BioPower, with Australia’s first ethanol vehicles joining QFleet early next year,” Mr Beattie said.
Two BioPower production vehicles are on display at Community Cabinet in Toowoomba from December 3-4. They are a flex fuel version of the Saab 9-5 vehicle and can run on a range of fuel, from petrol to e85, and from the one fuel tank.
“Pushing the boundaries of technology will not only give Queenslanders more reason to embrace biofuels but it will drive the development of the ethanol industry and create more jobs, jobs, jobs,” said the Premier.
“Congratulations to Sabb, and thank you to Saab Australia Director Parveen Batish for joining the Smart State’s investment in the industries of the future.
“While it might be some time before fuel blends above e10 are commercially available in Australia, blended fuels are here to stay and we’re only just starting to tap into their potential.”
Through the Queensland Government Ethanol Industry Action Plan, the State Government is investing $7.3 million, with $5.1 million to help service stations covert to new fuels, and $2.2 million to build consumer confidence at the bowser.
BP Australia
BP Australia President Gerry Hueston said: “This is BP demonstrating how e10 can be brought successfully into the mainstream, rather than simply being a niche fuel. And this is key to our strategy. Positive engagement with governments is also very important.”
Saab
Director of Saab Australia Mr Parveen Batish praised the Queensland community for its interest in renewable fuels. He said: "Australia is the first country outside Europe to trial BioPower. As a result of Queensland's leadership in championing ethanol Saab has chosen the sugarcane growing area of Norwell for the vehicle’s official launch in January. We hope that with the availability of a vehicle like Saab BioPower the community can take the next step towards considering the introduction of ethanol as an alternative, renewable fuel for consumers.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Premier’s Office 3224 4500, 0418 795 940