Local sales of bio-diesel have been growing steadily, but not as fast as they should be given the spike in the price of diesel and the savings made from the use of biodiesel.

“There needs to be a stronger awareness campaign on the benefits, more information about how to use biodiesel, and better logistics at the pumps,” Pippo Psaila, commercial director of local producers EORC Ltd told timesofmalta.com.

Biodiesel prices in Malta are six percent lower than ordinary diesel, and independent studies commissioned by EORC have shown an 11 percent saving in consumption using a mixture of biodiesel and diesel. Biodiesel has also been proved to be cleaner than diesel.

“There needs to be stronger awareness of such obvious advantages,” Mr Psaila (picture) said.

He said his own company was launching a media campaign and was already sending people to filling stations to inform motorists. The government too, he said, should be better promoting the use of biodiesel, given its environmental and health benefits.

Biodiesel is sold from 28 filling stations in Malta, but Mr Psaila said sales are hampered by an archaic regulation which does not allow biodiesel and diesel to be mixed in the tanks. Biodiesel is hardly ever used on its own, but is mixed with ordinary diesel. Abroad, many filling stations sell a mixture of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel, which is the preferred proportion used by motorists. In Malta however, those wishing to use biodiesel have to shift their car from the diesel pump to the biodiesel pump to get the proper mix, something which tends to put people off.

Biodiesel sales reached 1.4 million litres in 2006 and two million litres last year. Local biodiesel production makes used of recycled cooking oil which would otherwise end up in the drains.