The launch of major fuel supplier Caltex’s New Generation Diesel, held at the Newcastle terminal, marked the start of a major expansion of the company’s supply of biofuels.

The new mixture is suitable for all diesel cars and trucks and meets Australian diesel quality standards.

General marketing manager Mark Burrowes said that as of yesterday Caltex’s New Generation Diesel would be progressively rolled out to around 185 Caltex service stations from sites in the Hunter Valley to Grafton and as far west as Cobar, as well as to commercial customers such as those in the Hunter region mining industry.

“All diesel supplied from our Newcastle terminal will be Caltex New Generation Diesel enhanced with 2 percent biodiesel,” he said.

“We will supply around 550 million litres of the New Generation Diesel that will include 11 million litres of neat biodiesel in the first year.

“Caltex’s New Generation Diesel will be easily identified at pumps, and customers will be able to pick up a brochure at service stations where the product is sold.”

Managing director and CEO Des King said the introduction of Caltex’s New Generation Diesel was part of the company’s strategy to meet its commitment to the Australian Government’s Biofuels Action Plan targets.

The Australian Government announced in September last year that Australia would need to meet a biofuels production target of 350 megalitres by 2010.

King said Caltex was working with biodiesel suppliers in key regions to grow and expand the emerging industry.

“With several suppliers on the east coast of New South Wales, it made commercial sense to start the Caltex New Generation Diesel initiative at our Newcastle terminal,” he said.

“The product will also be supplied from other Caltex terminals when biodiesel supply arrangements and infrastructure modifications have been completed.”

New Minister for Transport Mark Vaile said greater biofuel usage and consumer awareness went hand in hand and he welcomed Caltex’s moves to keep its customers informed about the product with brochures and a biofuels hotline.

Customers can call the biofuels hotline on 1300 784 009 for more information.