Fleet managers debating whether to adopt biofuel technology cars and vans to help reduce their company’s carbon footprint have been left wondering whether there is a future for the alternative fuel.

Earlier this year, the government commissioned Gallagher Review was published, which said the rate of biofuel adoption must be slowed until the full environmental impacts of growing and producing the fuel are assessed.

Now the newly appointed transport minister Lord Andrew Adonis, has set out plans to take a “more cautious approach to biofuels, as part of the government's response to concerns about the indirect environmental and social impacts of producing them”.

The about turn stems from widespread concerns over the sustainability of biofuel crops and the fact that land used for food production is being turned over to fuel crop production.

Now the government has begun a consultation over the Gallagher Review’s proposal that the rate of increase of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) be slowed to reach 5% in 2013-14 rather than in 2010-11.

At the same time, Lord Adonis announced a further £6 million of funding for research being conducted by the Carbon Trust to accelerate the development of advanced sustainable biofuels technologies.

"Everyone agrees that to tackle climate change we must develop new and cleaner fuels.

"But we are clear that biofuels will only have a role to play in this if they are sustainably produced,” Lord Adonis said.

"We need to take a more cautious approach to biofuels and this consultation sets out our options."

Professor Gallagher warned that there is a risk “that the uncontrolled expansion and use of biofuels could drive unsustainable land use change.

"In turn this might lead to net increases in greenhouse gas emissions and potentially contribute to rising food prices”.

However, carmakers such as Saab and Ford have already introduced flexifuel cars onto the UK market and the amount of biofuels in use is increasing.

Last year, the use of biofuels, which are added to petrol and diesel, exceeded the minimum demanded by legislation.

According to the Renewable Fuels Agency’s (RFA) first interim quarterly report, biofuels made up 2.61% of both petrol and diesel sold at the pumps.

However, just 20% of UK biofuels meet a qualifying environmental standard – well below the government’s 30% target.

Fleet managers will be left wondering what the future for biofuel vehicles is until the government’s review is completed.

For a copy of the consultation visit: www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/rftoorder/