Biopower by Saab

How it Works 

The key environmental benefit of bioethanol is that, unlike petroleum, its consumption does not significantly raise atmospheric levels of CO2, which some scientific research suggests is a major contributor to global warming. This is because the CO2 which is released during the burning of the fuel is counter-balanced by that which is removed from the environment by photosynthesis when growing crops and trees for ethanol production. This, in effect, stabilises the atmospheric CO2.

In contrast, the use of fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel adds CO2 to the atmosphere by releasing it from oil deposits that have previously been locked away underground.

Sustainable Fuel 

We believe that biofuels should be produced in a sustainable and carbon efficient way. Certain biofuel suppliers have already adopted voluntary auditing and certification schemes to guarantee the CO2 emission savings generated by the biofuels they supply.

We believe that schemes of this nature should be actively encouraged in order to ensure that the CO2 savings incurred by switching fuel consumption from conventional fossil fuels to biofuels can be accurately measured and credited accordingly. Such schemes can also help to ensure that biofuels are sustainably sourced.

One of the primary benefits and differences between 1st and 2nd generation biofuel is that 2nd generation biofuel can be made from a variety of feedstocks, and by using agricultural and forestry by-products rather than main crops. This creates significant additional benefits in terms of CO2 and land use efficiencies.

Saab BioPower Range 

Saab created BioPower technology for drivers who want it all: turbo-charged performance plus the satisfaction of helping the environment. Our BioPower flexi-fuel powered cars run on both petrol and bioethanol, one of the world’s most exciting and effective alternative fuels. Right now, Saab BioPower environmental cars can reduce typical auto emissions of fossil carbon dioxide by up to 70% using E85 bioethanol (85% bioethanol, 15% petrol).

No compromises 

You don't have to give up any bhp to go green with a flexi-fuel car. In fact, bioethanol's higher octane rating combined with Saab ingenuity creates even higher engine performance. Typically, when the 2.0t BioPower engine is fuelled with bioethanol E85 alone:

• Bhp increases by 20%
• Torque increases 16%

No Hassle 

Saab BioPower environmental cars can easily run on petrol alone or petrol and bioethanol in any proportion up to bioethanol E85 (85% bioethanol, 15% petrol) - no adjustments required.

No doubt about the benefit

According to Swedish research, a typical petrol consumer drives 15,000 km per year on 1,350 litres of petrol. Over the same distance, a typical BioPower driver would use 1,755 litres of E85 bioethanol, which contains only 263 litres of petrol. So every BioPower driver could reduce petrol usage (and harmful emissions) by 1,087 litres per year.