The use of biodiesel fuel can cut vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide by as much as 80% and fine particles by 50%, the Italian farmers' union Coldiretti said on Tuesday.
Biodiesel is an equivalent fuel made by using vegetable oils and can be used in normal diesel engines without modification.
According to Coldiretti, urban air pollution can be effectively dealt with by using clean, non-toxic energy sources from the farm, first in public transportation and then for all vehicles.
A study by Italy's National Research Council (CNR) has found that air pollution kills an average of 8,220 people a year in Italy's 13 leading cities because of the high level of fine particles in the air.
Particle pollution is also known as aerosol pollution.
