According to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, biodiesel is defined as “a type of biofuel made by combining animal fat or vegetable oil with alcohol and can be directly substituted for diesel as a stand-alone fuel.”  If you don’t have a do-it-yourself biodiesel setup, you’ll be interesting in learning the basics of biodiesel including how to fill up in your area.

Basic Biodiesel Information
If you use a biodiesel blend that is no more than 20% biofuel (B20) then you don’t need to make any engine modifications.  To be safe, you will want to stick to purchasing biodiesel from a reputable vendor and avoid those backyard biodiesel distributors.  It may be fine for their cars but don’t trust your engine to a process that has no oversight.

Biodiesel Benefits
In a statement from the National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel is “the only alternative fuel in the country to have successfully completed the EPA-required Tier I and Tier II health effects testing under the Clean Air Act.”  Using biodiesel in an unmodified diesel engine reduces the amount of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulates. 

In addition to being a cleaner-burning fuel, biodiesel also lessens the United States’ reliance on foreign oil.  As oil prices are settling in at a new high, petroleum companies are looking for domestic alternatives like biodiesel.

Another possible benefit of biodiesel is improved engine component longevity.  Biodiesel acts as a lubricant which reduces the wear and tear on some engine parts.  As a result, some consumers are seeing a longer than expected engine life when using biodiesel.

Stations in Your Area
Biodiesel filling stations are found in more states than E85 filling stations.  As with the E85 stations, biodiesel stations are more prevalent in the Midwest.  Illinois has stations that offer blends starting at B2 (2% biofuel) to B100 (100% biofuel).  In addition to offering a wide variety of biodiesel options, several of the Illinois stations are open 24 hours a day.  To find a biodiesel filling station in your area, visit the National Biodiesel Board’s station locator.

Biodiesel is just one of the many alternative fuel types available in the United States today.  While the impact of switching to biodiesel isn’t going to be immediately felt on a national level, it is a good first step for diesel-equipped companies and consumers.

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Filed Under: Biodiesel Hybrid

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