Fact sheets and brochures

Sustainable biofuels have many benefits over fossil fuels. Most importantly, they are renewable and result in lower carbon dioxide emissions. Biofuels are already available in parts of the country and more will become available to Kiwi motorists. One of the main types of biofuel is bioethanol-blended petrol.

This guide has been developed especially for the motor trade and transport industries and anyone who sells or services diesel powered vehicles to help answer any questions you and your customers may have about biodiesel blends.

Biofuels are produced from biological, non-fossil sources. By using biofuels we are reducing New Zealand's reliance on imported crude oil, increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing our overall emissions of carbon dioxide, which contribute to global climate change. Currently in New Zealand the transport sector is responsible for 45% of our greenhouse gas emissions.

Biomass energy from wood (woody biomass) is a clean and renewable energy source. Because fossil fuels are likely to become increasingly expensive, woody biomass can play an important role by providing energy in the form of heat, electricity or transport fuels. Woody biomass is effectively a store of solar energy.
As a renewable energy source that can be grown and used sustainably, burning woody biomass has almost zero net greenhouse effect as the carbon dioxide given off during combustion is
absorbed by the growth of the next crop of woody biomass.