Saab Debuts Biopower Technology At London Clean Energy Show

Saab 9-5

• Innovative Saab 9-5 BioPower on first UK show
• A carbon-neutral car that runs on 85% bioethanol and 15% petrol (E85) whilst delivering more performance than its petrol equivalent
• Tailpipe fossil CO2 emissions reduced by approximately 80% on petrol equivalent

Be amongst the first people in the UK to catch a glimpse of Saab’s innovative and environmentally-conscious bioethanol-fuelled car, the 9-5 BioPower, at the London Clean Energy Show, which is running this weekend at the Business Design Centre, in Angel Islington, London.

The 9-5 2.0t BioPower has recently been launched to spectacular success in its home market of Sweden, where between 85 and 90 per cent of current 9-5 orders are for the bioethanol derivative, equivalent to more than 1,000 cars.

Unlike petrol, the consumption of bioethanol does not raise atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. This is because the emissions that are released during driving are cancelled out by the amount of CO2 that is removed from the atmosphere when crops for conversion are grown. Furthermore, Saab engineers have managed to ensure that the 9-5 BioPower actually delivers more power than its petrol equivalent, taking the car’s brake horse power (bhp) from 150 up to an impressive 180bhp.

In Sweden, there are yet more reasons to buy the car in addition to the environmental and performance benefits that it brings. As well as having to pay less for fuel, (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol costs 25% less at the pump than petrol), Swedish drivers are exempt from paying congestion charges in the capital city Stockholm, qualify for free parking throughout Swedish cities, and enjoy 20% lower company car tax charges.

Saab is looking to bring BioPower technology to the UK should market conditions support it.