16.11.2006
Sir Richard Branson gives green light to Saab BioPower

As the U.K.’s highest-profile and best-known businessman Sir Richard Branson takes delivery of a Saab 9-5 BioPower, the message is: Move over fossil fuel – that’s just so passé.

Sir Richard’s switch to a Saab flex-fuel car reinforces the Virgin boss’ unwavering commitment to fighting one of the biggest challenges of our times – that of global warming.

Speaking yesterday as he took the keys of his new Saab, Sir Richard said: “I am convinced that biofuels are the way forward, both for the car and aviation industries, which is a vision we share with Saab. Now we need to extend that vision to others. It’s high-time that flex-fuel cars, such as the Saab 9-5 BioPower, are given the same concessions in the U.K. as other green cars, like for example, exemption from London’s Congestion Charge.”

Earlier this year, the Virgin Group announced that all profits and equity realizations over the next ten years from the group’s worldwide transport companies, including Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Trains in the UK, would be invested in the renewable energy sector. The amount to be invested is expected to be some 2.4bn euros. Sir Richard’s new car will carry both the Virgin Fuels and Saab BioPower logos.