Bentley and biofuels: Leading the charge in green automotive innovation
Bentley Motors, an emblematic name in the luxury car market, is making a noteworthy stride toward a sustainable future. But does this latest initiative truly position Bentley as the vanguard of green automotive manufacturing in the UK?
Bentley's Crewe production facility recently integrated a 1200-litre biofuel dispensing system. This eco-friendly decision empowers vehicles from the Bentley Heritage Collection and the press fleet to remarkably lower their carbon dioxide emissions—by approximately 85%—compared to standard petrol.
A case in point: The prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed this past July witnessed Bentley's impressive six-car fleet, powered solely by this next-generation biofuel, complete 32 hill-climbs without a hitch.
This forward-thinking biofuel adopted at Bentley's Crewe location is aligned with the global EN228 gasoline standard. This ensures it can serve as a direct substitute for regular gasoline, without necessitating any engine modifications—even for Bentley's venerable 1920 EXP2 model.
Understanding second-generation biofuel
A marked improvement over their first-generation counterparts, second-generation biofuels are crafted from non-food waste products, such as agricultural leftovers and by-products from the food industry.
The sustainable manufacturing process involves breaking down this waste biomass through fermentation, leading to the creation of ethanol. Subsequent steps transform this ethanol into gasoline, offering a fuel that is both 100% renewable and dramatically reduces carbon emissions by an estimated 85% compared to traditional gasoline.
Crucially, this approach resolves the contentious 'food versus fuel' debate that has overshadowed first-generation biofuels.
Sustainable manufacturing highlights at Bentley
1200-litre renewable fuel bowser (fuel pump) now operational at Crewe factory
Renewable fuel tests: 32 hill climbs successfully completed with six different Bentley’s using renewable fuel at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Bentley Batur completes hill climb in 55 seconds
Bentayga Extended Wheelbase model establishes new towing record on the famous Goodwood Hill climb, powered by renewable fuel
85% reduction in CO2 emissions Well-to-Wheel
Conforms to EN228 standard – equivalent to ordinary gasoline
Created from fermented waste biomass, not food crops
No engine modifications needed, even for 103-year-old Bentley EXP2
Beyond100 strategy includes commitment to supporting all past and present Bentleys long into the future
84% of all Bentleys ever made are still running today
The beyond 100 strategy
Bentley's Beyond100 vision underscores the automaker's commitment to sustainability, targeting a complete transition to either plug-in hybrids or battery electric vehicles by 2026.
By 2030, Bentley envisages a portfolio of exclusively electric vehicles. These monumental shifts are pivotal in Bentley's roadmap to attain end-to-end carbon neutrality, aptly termed "Net Zero," as they usher in their second century of unparalleled automotive craftsmanship. Remarkably, with around 84% of all Bentleys ever crafted still operational today, it's evident that these luxury vehicles, despite their significant initial carbon footprint, demonstrate longevity that outshines many mass-produced alternatives. Second-generation biofuels are undeniably part of this sustainable journey.
Crewe's visionary factory efforts
The incorporation of the biofuel dispensing system at Bentley's Crewe facility further underscores their commitment to diminishing environmental impact. Crewe holds the distinction of being the UK's first luxury car manufacturing facility to achieve carbon neutrality certification from the Carbon Trust—a feat they've maintained in subsequent assessments.
Their green initiatives over the past decades have been laudable: from an intricate water recycling mechanism in the paint department and expansive on-site solar panel installations to an unwavering commitment to sourcing only renewable electricity. And there's more on the horizon: Bentley aspires to transform Crewe into a "climate positive factory" by 2030, an initiative aimed at actively mitigating atmospheric carbon levels.
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