ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN BUSES

Alternative fuels open up the possibility of reducing the detrimental effects of bus exhaust gases. The most interesting alternatives which have presented themselves recently are perhaps natural gas and liquefied gas. The advantage of biological fuels (e.g. biogas), on the other hand, is the possibility of utilizing a renewable natural resource (biomass) as raw material; in this case there would be no restriction on the availability of fuel in the longer term, as there is with fossil fuels. Biologically-based fuels also have the advantage that their effect in terms of atmospheric carbon dioxide is smaller. In Sweden, ethanol motor technology is already well-established. The largest uncertainties regarding ethanol concern its availability and pricing policy. The use of biodiesel fuel does not reduce harmful emissions at all, and even before tax addition the fuel is expensive.