31.1.2006
Saab joins BEST European ethanol project

BioEthanol for Sustainable Transportation (BEST) – is a four-year project, partly funded by the European Union, in which three car manufacturers, ten locations, five ethanol producers and four universities are to co-operate cross-functionally to accelerate the introduction of ethanol as an alternative automotive fuel in Europe. The City of Stockholm is acting as a coordinator for starting up initiatives and Saab, one of the car manufacturers involved, will contribute to the project with test cars, technical know-how and education.

BEST was officially launched in Stockholm this month, at a three-day conference for all participating organizations. The first phase of the project calls for the creation of a functioning infrastructure with at least 140 ethanol pumps at ten selected sites, including eight European cities. It is hoped that this will lead to nearly 10,000 ethanol-powered cars being put on the road as demonstrators to inspire businesses, communities and drivers in general.

The objective of the BEST project is to establish a launch pad for a major breakthrough in the perception of ethanol as an alternative automotive fuel. It is also conducting research to encourage the use of common standards and recommendations for Europe.

Being the first car manufacturer in the premium segment to combine a fun-to-drive experience with respect for the environment, it is only natural for Saab to participate in BEST. Saab wants to show its commitment to and responsibility for future transportation solutions. Until non-fossil fuel hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles become widely available, ethanol is currently an accessible means of achieving sustainable development.

Apart from Saab, Ford Europe and Omni/Scania are also contributing from the automotive sector. The fuel producers involved come from Sweden, the Netherlands, the U.K., Ireland and Brazil; the contributing universities are Umeå University ( Sweden), Tsinghua University ( China), Genoa University ( Italy) and the Imperial College ( U.K.). The participating cities/regions are Örnsköldsvik ( Sweden), Dublin ( Ireland), Somerset County (U.K.), Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Madrid and the Basque Country ( Spain) as well as La Spezia ( Italy). Stockholm ( Sweden) is the coordinating city.

More information about BEST can be found at: www.best-europe.org