Scania buses run on wine residue-based ethanol ion France’s Ile de Ré

June 20, 2019 |

In France, in looking for alternatives apart from electric buses, the municipalities of the French island Ile de Ré found the solution to their needs quite literally around the corner. That’s because the regular two-hour coach service between La Rochelle and the westernmost point on Ile de Ré is now being driven by Scania Interlink coaches powered by ethanol produced from grape residue from local wine production.

Facing an unsustainable situation with three million cars crossing the bridge each year, the island has embarked upon a far-reaching program to establish itself as a low-carbon area. Funding for clean energy and transport, as well as maintaining wetlands, protecting ecosystems and restoring dunes, is provided through the ‘ecotaxe’, which takes half of the annual 14 million euro proceeds from the island’s bridge toll revenues: motorists pay a hefty eight euros in winter and twice as much in summer to cross the bridge.

Category: Fuels

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