Green Alliance calls for second-generation biofuel research

Research into second-generation biofuel options is required in order to develop them for use in private vehicles, according to the Green Alliance.

Senior policy adviser Rachel Cary, when asked about the issue of biofuel, claims that there is only so much that can be achieved through their use.

A good alternative, once infrastructure is in place, might be electric vehicles, she claims.

However, at present she adds that first-generation biofuel can be useful in cutting emissions from individuals' cars.

"Well sourced biofuels can be useful in terms of cutting carbon emissions," she says.

"They still don't necessarily address other local air quality problems."

Ms Cary adds that research into second-generation options could help.

These include crops grown specifically to be converted into fuel, with higher percentages of the mass of the plant capable of being turned into energy.

First-generation fuels may not have as high a proportion of usable mass, reducing their efficiency in real terms.