KiwiRail Firms up Plans for Biodiesel Trials Despite Supply Doubts

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June 18, 2019

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by Meriana Johnsen (Newsie) KiwiRail is set to trial biodiesel on some trains and ferries, but it cannot source enough to switch completely anytime soon.

A six-to-12-month trial on off-peak Wellington trains is due to begin midway through this year, according to a briefing to the Minister of the Environment, obtained under the Official Information Act.

A one-month trial on the Interislander Kaiarahi ferry is also due to take place in September, as part of investigations into whether biofuel is viable when the new ferry fleet comes into service from 2024.

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Both trials will use biodiesel – biofuel blended with regular diesel – but which type will depend on market availability.

KiwiRail has estimated it could reduce emissions on the Interislander ferries by approximately 3135 tonnes a year if it switches to biodiesel.

Biodiesel was used on passenger trains in 2010, but it became too expensive when subsidies were removed.

Z Energy has constructed a facility that can produce 20 million litres of 100 percent biodiesel, which can be expanded to 400m litres when biodiesel is blended with regular diesel, to create a fuel with 5 percent biodiesel. READ MORE

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