Four buses using a new form of clean energy went into use in Shanghai on Saturday as part of a six-month trial program. Two more buses using the fuel will be put into use early next year.

 

The program was set up by the Shanghai Clean Energy Research and Industry Promotion Center and energy firm Shell, which will provide GTL (gas to liquid) fuel for the buses from its plant in Malaysia, the first facility in the world to produce the fuel.

 

Previous tests have shown Shell's GTL fuel gives off fewer emissions than diesel or gasoline, but also cuts down on a vehicle's fuel efficiency.

 

"I think the purpose of the event is not only for testing. What's more important is that we hope it will arouse the public awareness of clean energy use, especially in a populous city like Shanghai," said Shou Ziqi, deputy director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.

 

Four buses that comply with Euro II emission standards switched from diesel to GTL fuel on Saturday, starting a six-moth road trial.

 

Another two buses that meet the even stricter Euro III standards will go into operation in the first half of next year, commission officials said.

 

(Shanghai Daily November 27, 2006)