What was the promise of the oil and gas industry again? 700 pumps in France at the end of 2007?
Flex-fuel is really hard to assert itself in France: while the petrol station on the quay of Issy-les-Moulineaux (92) is always full, the only pump dispensing superethanol remains hopelessly empty. While this Total station - one of the first to distribute E85 in the Paris region - serves an average of 70 customers an hour, there is only one flex-fuel vehicle that comes to make its daily full...
It is clear that flex-fuel vehicles are too few in France. There are 1.200, while half of the vehicles registered in Sweden are equipped with this type of engine. In the Issy station, E85 is composed of 85% maximum ethanol and 15% gasoline, and is offered for sale 50 cents cheaper than the liter of unleaded 95. Despite an attractive price, consumers are struggling to take the plunge. Only a few rental companies offer a few equipped vehicles, just to improve their brand image.
Motorists therefore remain cautious with cereals and beets. At the same time, only 32 superethanol pumps are distributed across France, and 43 are about to open *. It is still far too little! The government had however announced its desire to open more than 2007 eco-friendly pumps during 500 when the Flex-Fuel Charter was signed. Figure which should theoretically triple next year.
The government expects consumption of biofuels in the order of 5,75% next year and 7% in 2010 on the entire market. For their part, the manufacturers have committed to equipping half of their petrol models with flex-fuel.
So when will we see the French car fleet renew? Perhaps this summer, with the release of several French flex-fuel models from Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroën. Cross our fingers.
* (figures from www.roulonspropre-roulonsnature.com)
Source: http://www.econologique.info/index.php/ ... adisiaccom
