Wisconsin Ag Connection - National/World News - Taiwan Requires Vehicles to Add Biodiesel by Next Year

National & World Ag News Headlines

Taiwan Requires Vehicles to Add Biodiesel by Next Year
USAgNet - 04/12/2007

Starting next year, drivers in Taiwan will be required to add biodiesel in addition to gasoline to their vehicles to reduce air pollution, following revision of the Energy Administration Law by a committee of the Legislative Yuan. Economics Minister Steve R.L. Chen said Taoyuan and Chiayi counties have been designated as the first counties to implement the biodiesel program, with all gas stations there supplying biodiesel beginning in July this year.

All vehicles are required to add one percent of biodiesel to their total purchase when they fill up, under the law. The ratio will be increased to two percent by 2010.

The state-run Chinese Petroleum Corp. and the private sector's Formosa Petrochemical Corp. will be responsible for supplying biodiesel at gas stations that use their gasoline.

The new rule is aimed at coping with a possible shortage of supply in energy, particularly petroleum.

There are presently four main suppliers of biodiesel in Taiwan. All of them are gearing up to boost output in meeting expected growing demand. Some of them are also planning to ship their products abroad.

Other preliminary rules approved by the lawmakers include the reduction in the safety reserves for petroleum importing companies to 10,000 kiloliters from the current 50,000 kiloliters to promote market competition.

But the reserves for oil refining companies will remain unchanged at 50,000 kiloliters.

Several other measures are in store to enable Taiwan to better cope with energy and environmental problems.