MEPs have given the green light to the use of edible oil as fuel, as part of the first reading of the purchasing power bill. The Senate has yet to confirm this authorization, proposed by an ecologist deputy in the face of the explosion in gasoline prices. Until now, in France, rolling with edible oil is prohibited. The only approved fuels are those listed by the authorities.
Not enough to slow down Gérald, 40, this resident of Haute-Vienne assumes it: “I’ve done over 100,000 kilometers using frying oil as a fuel additive, because until today you can’t say it’s a fuel.“
A “additive“So to top up the fuel, according to Gérald, who claims not to have exceeded the 49% oil threshold in his tank for ten years. Recently, he had to go back to conventional fuel because he changed cars. Indeed, the frying oil is not suitable for all motors: “It works with naturally aspirated diesel vehicles: these are engines that date from before 96-97.“
Member of the association “Roule ma frite”, he collects oil that his collective recovers in restaurants. Then, it takes between four and six weeks to filter it, decant it, and make it usable.
“Frying oil is waste that we recycle: it’s a short circuit, territorial projects.”
Gérald, member of the “Roule ma frite” association
Experiments are carried out in several communities. For example, the agglomeration of Béthune-Bruay runs a few waste collection trucks with bio-fuel made from 100% used cooking oil, supplied by the social and solidarity company Gecco, based in the North. But Julien Pilette, the co-founder, warns: “We are not going to replace diesel with frying oils. We are not at all on a major scale of diesel replacement.“
Above all, he insists, even if edible oils are of interest in limiting pollution, we must be very careful: “Done badly, we could do damage to certain environmental aspects.”
The connoisseur develops:We agree: we are very, very far from the impact of oil, with 95% savings in greenhouse gas emissions, that’s perfect. On the other hand, a vehicle that is poorly tuned, if the adaptation is not made and the fuel is not good, you can generate more carbon monoxide, more particles, and therefore degrade the quality of the air.“
Avoid collecting oil by filtering it in your garage: all this requires know-how. The Gecco company precisely wants the establishment of an official framework with standards to be respected so that the sector can develop on the right track.
those motorists who bet on edible oil as a fuel additive – the report by Benjamin Illy
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