Queensland’s growing biofuels industry powering buses, creating jobs and lowering emissions in Mackay

Taking public transport is already a great way for Queenslanders to reduce their carbon footprint. But for residents of Mackay, biofuel powered buses are about to make their commute even more environmentally friendly.

Two state-of-the-art buses have just been delivered to Queensland’s sugar capital, in a trial run by innovative transportation solutions company Scania, in partnership with Translink and the Department of State Development. The buses will, fittingly, run on bioethanol produced from locally grown sugarcane, processed at the Sarina-based Wilmar Bioethanol Australia distillery. These buses aren’t just beneficial for the Mackay region; they were built on the Gold Coast by a specialised team and are an important way for the state to reach its goal of zero net vehicle emissions by 2050.

The project showcases how, as global demand for cleaner fuels grows, Queensland is seizing the opportunity to secure more jobs in more industries, develop local supply chains and increase manufacturing capabilities in the state.

How does sugarcane power a bus?

Biofuels – renewable liquid fuels including bioethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels – are fuels made out of sustainable organic resources. The buses built for the Mackay public transport network will run on bioethanol that is made from sugarcane, a crop which grows well in the local area.

Every year, about 60 million litres of bioethanol is produced at the Wilmar Bioethanol Australia distillery in Sarina, which will provide the fuel for the buses. The distillery sources molasses, a by-product of the manufacturing process that turns sugarcane into sugar, from Queensland-based raw sugar mills, and ferments it under specific conditions that allow the sugars in the molasses to break down into ethanol.

The fuel the new buses will use is a 95% bioethanol blend (E95), which means it will burn more efficiently and produce fewer emissions than traditional petroleum-based diesel or petrol.

How much can the use of bioethanol reduce emissions?

Biofuels burn in combustion engines, just like traditional petroleum-based petrol or diesel fuels, but they are cleaner and release fewer emissions. Biofuel-powered vehicles allow us to continue using existing combustion engine technology with a much-reduced environmental impact.

This is important in industries that rely on heavy vehicles and machinery, like construction, and locations where alternatives like electric and hydrogen battery options are not yet available. using biofuels means we can decarbonise combustion engines now, rather than waiting to take action until other options are available.

During the 12-month trial, Scania, will monitor the buses’ performance to see how the use of bioethanol reduces carbon emissions. Research already conducted indicates these buses can produce up to 90% less carbon emissions than regular, diesel-powered buses.

Take a ride on history

Mackay locals can keep an eye out for the new bioethanol powered buses, with each of the two buses driving across the Mackay network. They have eye-catching designs featuring sugarcane, so they’ll be easy to spot, and residents can jump on board and ride on the first of many low-emissions buses that will soon make up part of Queensland’s public transport system.

The plan to make Queensland’s public transport greener doesn’t stop in Mackay, with 10 more buses that will run off Tritium chargers being built by the Gold Coast-based BusTech team, ready to be deployed in Logan.