Virgin Group will test a jet plane on renewable fuel early next year, CNET reports.

“Early next year we will fly one of our 747s without passengers with one of the fuels that we have developed,” Richard Branson said.

Virgin also hopes to produce biofuels for buses, trains and cars within three or four years.

Virgin is developing biofuels for aircraft with Boeing and engine maker GE Aviation.

Air New Zealand has said it plans to test a flight on a combination fuel of biofuel and kerosene in late 2008, according to CNET.