Indonesia yesterday launched (27) road tests for two types of biodiesel containing 40% palm oil, hoping to conclude by the end of the year if they are viable for public use, the Energy Ministry said.

The government currently demands that all diesel sold in the country must contain 30% palm oil – the largest compulsory mixture in the world.

The world's largest producer of palm oil, the country has long-term plans to increase the concentration of vegetable oil in fuel for everything from cars to airplanes so it can cut fuel imports.

Last year, the country conducted its first test flight using aviation fuel mixed with palm oil.

Recently, authorities have also pushed for a higher proportion to absorb excess palm oil.

The fuels to be tested in the coming months are diesel mixed with 40% fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), called B40, and B30D10, which consists of diesel with 30% FAME mixed with 10% green diesel made of refined, bleached and deodorized palm oil.

The tests will be conducted on 12 of the most popular passenger car models and commercial vehicles, said the ministry's head of renewable energy, Dadan Kusdiana.

"We've improved fuel specifications so they're better than B30," he said, referring to biodiesel containing 30% palm oil.

Source: Forbes