Somerset goes green

Somerset police have become partners in a new initiative from their county council that will see them driving a fleet of 40 Ford Focus cars powered by 85% bioethanol that will be produced locally.

Somerset Biofuel Project Partners are working with the EU and UK government departments to develop the project, and to provide a case study for assistance in the implementation of the UK Strategy for Biofuels.

The Somerset Biofuels Project will establish a local fuel distribution network of five forecourt pumps for the supply of the new fuel, with Ford making available the Ford Focus Flexible Fuelled Vehicle (FFV), engineered to run on any mixture from pure petrol up to 85% ethanol content. Local stakeholders Somerset County Council, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Wessex Water and Wessex Grain will kick start a promotion campaign to introduce the FFV by using the cars in their respective vehicle fleets.