Europe: Swiss tax exemption for biofuels; VW, Audi embrace E10; German biodiesel quota may rise to 7 percent

February 15, 2008

Our European correspondents report that the Swiss Government will give a tax exemption to biofuels that reduce CO2 levels by a minimum of 40 percent. The car makers Volkswagen, Audi and Skode announced last week that most of their produced models are suitable for the new E10 fuel.

After starting up the bioethanol plant in Kleinwanzleben, Nordzucker will begin to produce biogas from sugar beet. The SDP Party in Germany will support an increase in the biodiesel quota from 4.4 percent to 7 percent in 2008, to help the German biodiesel industry stave off collapse.

Full details are available in the most recent BBK newsletter from Germany, which is available for €65 per year.

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