Central Blurb

Critical Ideas As To Why Biodiesel Gains Acceptance From Big Auto

The automotive industry is slowly but surely becoming more sustainable and is thinking about producing cars with better mileage figures, engines with longevity, reductions in carbon emissions and is also looking at major improvements to diesel engines. Conventional petro diesel is being replaced by a low sulphur alternative and this is of benefit to those who use, or wish to use biodiesel in their vehicles.

Equipment manufacturers are producing diesel engines and components which are more suitable for both low sulphur diesel and biodiesel. While it is true that pure blends of biodiesel can damage certain rubber compounds over a period of time, especially in older diesel engines, this issue is likely to decrease as more stringent rubber compounds are used. If bio diesel is mixed and not used in full strength, such issues appear to be almost non-existent, anyway.

Mistakenly, some consumers think that if they use biodiesel they will negate the manufacturer warranty. This is far from the truth as all manufacturers of diesel engine vehicles support the use of biodiesel in their engines. The US Environmental Protection Agency certifies biodiesel as the only alternative fuel so far and manufacturers are sitting up and taking notice of its potential. Within the automotive industry, senior executives can foresee that regulation is becoming much more likely as politicians react and they know that vehicles will be required with higher performance and greater sustainability.

More than 50% of all vehicles in Europe have diesel engines. This is more than a 10 times higher ratio than found in the USA, but we can see that more manufacturers are now planning to import and produce vehicles with diesel engines in this country as the trend toward smaller and more economical continues.

Over a decade, interest in biodiesel has increased considerably in the USA. It is said that more than 700,000,000 gallons are produced per year, comparing to just 1 million back in 1999. Considerable growth can be expected in the future. Across the country, 14 organisations have multimillion dollar manufacturing operations, but there are hundreds of fledgling and micro operations elsewhere.

These days, making biodiesel commercially is a viable proposition and some advocates are moving up from the production of homemade biodiesel by initially supplying other consumers within a locality and gradually expanding a business. Commercial production of biodiesel fuel requires certification by the EPA, while there are certain incentives and grants also available to help.

If you are not sure and pondering whether the adoption of biodiesel as your fuel of choice would be a good idea, just consider the advances of the trend toward sustainability. Heavyweight legislation is currently under discussion in Congress and if enacted will force major consumers of energy and emitters of greenhouse gases to cut back considerably. This trend will certainly continue and consumers will demand that companies comply or face action and thus biodiesel fuel is well placed to play its part. If you’re interested in helping the environment, and are looking for a way help others do the same, getting invovled with the production of biodiesel fuel is a great way to start!