Ford's flexible-fuel-powered Focus, exhibited at the London International Motor Show this week, boasts lower CO2 emissions than a comparable hybrid vehicle.

Researchers from London's Imperial College made the claim.

They conducted independent analysis of the CO2 output for the flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) when using bio-ethanol.

The 1.8-litre Ford Focus FFV produces 169 grams of CO2 per kilometre from its exhaust, though this equates to just 99.6 grams per kilometre when greenhouse gas absorption by bio-ethanol crops is factored in, the researchers observed.

"Biofuels generally, and bio-ethanol particularly, could provide a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emission from transport," commented Dr Jeremy Woods, government advisor and research fellow at Imperial College's Centre for Environmental Policy.

"I welcome Ford's lead in this area and trust that government policies will encourage greater use of biofuels and the purchase of vehicles operating with high biofuel blends," he added.

Marketed as E85, bio-ethanol fuel in the UK is blended with 15 per cent conventional petrol.

The calculation of CO2 emissions is done on a 'well-to-wheel' basis, considering both the consumption of the harmful gas and its production over the life cycle of the fuel.

Biofuels still produce some emissions subject to emission regulations, but can work well with platinum and pgm catalytic converters as they contain less sulphur, which can block up the converter's filters.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd