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As the automotive industry becomes more sustainable and moves toward better fuel mileage efficiencies, longer-lasting engines and a significant reduction in carbon emissions, manufacturers have also been paying attention to improvements in diesel engines. As such, conventional petrol diesel now has an alternative low sulfur option and this is definitely of interest to those who want 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. As biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to be certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency, savvy manufacturers are taking note of its potential and embracing its use. Auto industry chiefs can see the trend toward regulation emerging on Capitol Hill and know that they are going to have to produce vehicles with better performance characteristics and long term 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. Today, more than 700 million gallons are produced annually, compared to less than 1 million in 1999. This industry is likely to grow significantly as we go forward. While there are presently 14 major companies with multimillion dollar manufacturing plants across the country, there are many hundreds of smaller or start-up operations in place.

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. To enable commercial production of biodiesel fuel, you need to get a certificate from the EPA and a number of grants and incentives may be applicable.

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. The US Congress is looking at legislation to force major energy consumers and polluters 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!

Filed under: Hobbies on February 19th, 2010