Gas to Liquids (GTL) trials and availability around the globe.
Berlin
In 2003 a fleet of 25 Volkswagen Golf cars were driven by welfare workers around Berlin for a period of five months, fuelled by 100% Shell GTL Fuel. The results proved that you can run modern Golf diesel cars on Shell GTL Fuel without any modifications and still meet the stringent future Euro 4 emissions limits.
California
A fleet of six trucks with conventional engines ran on 100% Shell GTL Fuel for 12 months, delivering water in southern California. The trial results, announced in October 2004, demonstrated both the compatibility of the fuel with conventional truck engines and a reduction in emissions. Nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions were cut by 16% and 23% respectively when compared with standard diesel.
Davos
Powered by Shell GTL Fuel, Audi provided the chauffeur service fleet for the 2008 World Economic Forum at Davos. Using 100% Shell GTL Fuel, a synthetic diesel-type fuel in 81 unmodified Audi TDI cars, contributed to cleaner tailpipe emissions compared to standard diesel. The GTL Fuel was stored and dispensed from conventional Shell stations at "Davos Platz" and the Glatt Centre in Zurich.
European Availability
Shell V-Power Diesel with Shell GTL Fuel is now available at over 4400 retail sites across 11 countries in Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Luxembourg, Greece, Slovakia and the UK.
Greece
A GTL blend was introduced at Shell retail stations in the Athens area for the 2004 Olympic Games and continues to be available. Greece was the first country in Europe where Shell began distributing a GTL blended product.
Japan - Co-op truck
A 3-stage fleet trial and emissions testing programme was carried out in Saitama Prefecture in November 2003 and Chiba Prefecture in May 2004. The tests proved that different sized trucks were all able to use a blend of Shell GTL Fuel and standard diesel without the need for any engine modifications – so switching over couldn’t be simpler.
London
In 2004 Shell launched a trial of 10 Avensis cars powered by 100% Shell GTL Fuel and equipped with Toyota D-CAT exhaust systems to demonstrate that GTL Fuel can be used in most modern diesel cars without modifications. Compared to ‘zero sulphur’ diesel, GTL emissions showed a 73% reduction in hydrocarbons and a 94% reduction in carbon monoxide.
Shell GTL Fuel has also been trialled over three months on a number 507 ‘bendy bus’ showing similar emissions benefits.
Malaysia
Shell opened the world's first commercial GTL plant in Bintulu in 1993. The pioneering plant is capable of producing 14,700 barrels per day of GTL Fuel.
New York City
At the 2007 C40 Large Cities Climate Summit in New York City two 100% Shell GTL fuelled Audi A8 limousines were provided for use by Mayoral delegations from over 30 world cities, including London, Shanghai, Rotterdam and Tokyo. Shell co-sponsored the second C40 summit which is committed to reducing urban carbon emissions.
Qatar
Shell plans to open its first world-scale GTL plant in partnership with Qatar Petroleum and the Qatari Government. The plant will be capable of producing 140,000 barrels per day of GTL fuels and products – enough to power the equivalent of all the buses and taxis in up to 10 mega-cities, helping to improve air quality in those cities.
Shanghai – Michelin Bibendum Challenge
At the Michelin Bibendum Challenge events in 2004 and 2007, Shell teamed up with Audi to demonstrate the use of Shell GTL Fuel in the latest Audi diesel cars. Trials using different Audi models demonstrated that significant reductions in exhaust emissions can be achieved with 100% Shell GTL Fuel when compared with standard diesel. Audi is Shell’s technology partner on GTL Fuel.
Shanghai – Shanghai Bashi
Shell, the Shanghai Clean Energy Center, Shanghai Bashi, Yuchai and the Tongji University successfully conducted 93,000 miles of Shell GTL Fuel road trials on six unmodified Euro II and III buses in Shanghai during 2006 and 2007. The engine-test results showed that Shell GTL Fuel could reduce significantly particulate matters compared to conventional diesel. Likewise, the road trials data showed that the fuel economy and engine performance were similar to those using diesel fuel.
Shanghai – Vw Passat Taxi
Shell, the Tongji University, Shanghai VW, Shanghai DaZhong Taxi Co. and the Shanghai Science & Technology Commission successfully completed a nine-month Shell GTL Fuel trial on eight VW Passat 1.9TDi diesel engine taxis in 2006. The eight vehicles operated for an impressive 372,000 miles without fuel-related issues - one of the longest Shell GTL Fuel trials. The project demonstrated the feasibility of dieselisation of the light-duty vehicle and increased the public awareness of clean diesel development combined with synthetic GTL Fuel.
Beijing – Beijing Public Transport
Shell, the Tsinghua University, Beijing Public Transport Holdings and Cummins demonstrated the feasibility and performance of Shell GTL Fuel on four unmodified Euro III standard buses through a four-month, 45,000-mile road trial in Beijing. The tests demonstrated that Shell GTL Fuel could reduce particulate matters, a prime local emission concern for the city, by 33% in comparison with Euro III standard diesel.
Thailand
Shell Pura Diesel containing GTL Fuel was launched in Thailand in 2002. It has swiftly become a popular choice amongst Thai drivers as it reduces black exhaust smoke in a country where vehicles are subject to on the spot pollution fines.
