|
Renault UK will launch its first
bioethanol car into the UK
market when the Mégane Hatch E85
goes on sale at the end of 2007.
This will be Renault’s first
bioethanol vehicle to be sold in
the UK and is in line with eCO2,
the company’s commitment to
producing
environmentally-friendly
vehicles for the whole life
cycle of the vehicle, from
design to their eventual
recycling.
The new Mégane E85 uses the 1.6
16V 105 engine. The existing 1.6
16V petrol engine has undergone
a number of modifications so
that it adapts automatically to
bioethanol fuel. The main
upgrades have been made to the
fuel tank, injection system and
combustion chambers. The new
vehicles were developed with
input from expertise developed
in Brazil, where Renault has
been selling FlexFuel versions
of Clio and Mégane running on
bioethanol E100 since 2004.
The benefits of E85 fuel are
widespread and are particularly
relevant for the Fleet market. A
new tax incentive sees a 2%
discount on employees’ taxable
car benefits where the car is
capable of running on E85 fuel,
an ethanol fuel based on a mix
of at least 85% ethanol with
conventional petrol.
Renault considers biofuels to be
one of the most effective
solutions in the long-term quest
for control over CO2
emissions. Biofuels are
ecologically effective, as a
diversified, renewable,
plant-based energy source. And
they are economically effective
because the cost of developing
compatible engines is
reasonable, and the cars are
therefore affordable. Biofuels
will also be helping to cut down
energy dependency on fossil
fuels.
Prices and full information will
be announced when Mégane E85
goes on sale at the end of 2007. |
