New Zealand launches first commercial biofuel

WELLINGTON: New Zealand launched its first commercially available biofuel on Wednesday.   

The fuel is made up of 90 percent petrol and 10 percent bioethanol made from cows' milk. Prime Minister Helen Clark, who has previously said New Zealand should aim to be the world's first greenhouse gas-neutral nation, said the launch was a step towards the country achieving energy sustainability.   

"The transport sector accounts for 40 percent of our carbon dioxide emissions," Clark said.    The government has ruled that oil companies' sales will have to be made up of at least 0.2 percent biofuels by next year and 3.4 percent by 2012.   

The new fuel will be sold by Gull, a small chain of 30 petrol stations operating in the country's North Island.