Triumphant trial for fossil-free bus

Begun last September, the pilot scheme converted a bus using new engine technology developed by Solar Oil Systems, modifying the fuel injection process to allow the bus to run solely on the natural plant-sourced biofuel PPO. Regular engine oil and other lubricants were replaced by Greentec Oils' plant-based alternatives, enabling the bus to operate entirely without fossil oils.

Advantages of PPO
The benefits of using PPO instead of diesel oil to power the bus include a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions, particulate matter and soot. The test phase also revealed that in almost a year of running on PPO, the bus’s fuel consumption was reduced by 15 per cent, saving further emissions.

Small scale
Hein Aberson, founder of Solar Oil Systems, reported that Veolia is delighted with the trial and the bus’s performance. However, while the Biobus will continue to operate in Veolia’s fleet in the northern Netherlands, there are no set plans to roll the project out on a larger scale, due to funding issues.

"The Biobus is still running, and running well," explained Aberson. "We regularly speak to Veolia, and they are very happy that the trial has been a success and that the Biobus has exceeded everyone’s expectations. However, no funding is currently in place to extend the fleet further."

McDonald's converts
Solar Oil Systems also recently completed the conversion of a McDonald's truck to the PPO system. "McDonald’s normally sell their trucks after 700,000 – 800,000 km. Using PPO, they found that the engine was very clean, meaning trucks could potentially run to 1 million – 1.5 million km before being replaced," said Aberson.

Collaborators
The Biobus initiative is a collaboration between public transport provider Veolia, biofuel technology company Solar Oil Systems, Greentec Oils, and oil filtration company GVF / Triple-R Nederland.