(Yicai Global) Feb. 12 -- Authorities in Shanghai will expand the number of gas stations providing biodiesel derived from gutter oil to 200 this year, from 21 at present, the city's deputy mayor said.

The current network of such biodiesel stations supply some 2,000 vehicles each day, and the product has replaced conventional diesel at some locations, said Deputy Mayor Xu Kunlin at a press briefing.

The so-called gutter oil refers to waste cooking oil that mainly comes from the drains near restaurants. Illegal peddlers resell the oil it by mixing it with normal cooking oil, which can be dangerous for consumers. The plan aims to divert gutter oil away from the food and drink sector.

Nine stations across the city successfully passed recent spot checks recently, though more tests will be conducted, said Shen Weimin, deputy director at Shanghai's quality and technical supervision bureau.

Shanghai became the first municipality in China to carry out a biodiesel pilot program in November last year.