Caltex is being joined today by race car drivers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup to launch its new high ethanol blend fuel in Brisbane. Bio E-Flex consists of up to 85 per cent ethanol blended with 15 per cent petrol, and is commonly known overseas as E85.

Bio E-Flex has been designed for use in Holden's soon to be released VE Series II Commodore flex-fuel vehicles which will be Australia's first locally produced flex-fuel vehicles. Bio E-Flex will be Holden's recommended fuel for their new vehicles.

Lowndes and Whincup drive race cars on high ethanol fuel and are both advocates for the environmental and performance benefits of such fuels.

"It's great that drivers of the new Commodores will be able to choose a fuel with less environmental impact," said Lowndes. "By using a high volume of renewable ethanol, Bio E-Flex gives them the opportunity to reduce their carbon emissions when driving a flex-fuel vehicle."

"We're happy to be here today with Caltex," said Lowndes. "It's another part of our commitment to raising awareness of climate change and how motorists can make a difference. Even if they don't own one of the new Commodores that can use Bio E-Flex, most new and many older vehicles can use E10."

 "Our race cars run on E85 and they perform really well," said Whincup. "Running the new Holden flex-fuel vehicles on Bio E-Flex also produces greater torque and power when compared to petrol."

 "As a Queensland team, we're happy to see the growth of fuels which help develop local industries," said Whincup. "It's great that Caltex sources ethanol for its Bio E-Flex and Bio E10 Unleaded from Australian producers, including local ethanol plants in Queensland."

Bio E-Flex is now available at two Caltex service stations in Brisbane - Brookwater and Mackenzie. Caltex will have over 30 sites in Queensland and other states selling Bio E-Flex by the end of October 2010, increasing to 100 in 2011. Motorists will be able to choose Bio E-Flex or petrol when they fill up their flex-fuel vehicles.

Bio E-Flex is suitable only for flex-fuel vehicles, such as vehicles in the Holden Commodore VE Series II range. The new vehicles will also be able to use Bio E10 Unleaded, Vortex 95, Vortex 98, or any combination of these fuels. Bio E10 Unleaded is available at about 400 sites in NSW, ACT and Queensland. Most new and many older cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles can use Bio E10 Unleaded.

Further information is available at www.caltex.com.au.

Media contact:     
Felicity Wilson 
0401 300 768
fwilson@caltex.com.au