Oftentimes mentioned in the media and advertised directly at the pumps, Biodiesel is a type of fuel that has gained some popularity in recent years. Though it is widely available, drivers may find themselves unclear as to whether they should be using it or not.
As the name suggests, this fuel is a Diesel and hence, it should only be used by those driving a Diesel car. Biodiesel is produced by transesterification of vegetable oils, yellow grease, used cooking oils, or animal fats. The resulting Biodiesel will then be either used as 100 % Biodiesel or blended with regular Diesel. In the latter case, the percentage is indicated at the pump. One will see the percentage indicated as “B10” or “B20”, meaning that the Diesel you are about to pump contains, 10 or 20 percent Biodiesel.
There are several aspects to the use of Biodiesel that are worth discussing. The most obvious one being its sustainability. As Biodiesel is made from re-growing crops, it is credited for being more environmentally friendly than pure Diesel. However, Biodiesel is not without its problems. For instance, Biodiesel is more corrosive, and will this be damaging rubber hoses and other components if the materials aren’t specifically designed to be used with Biodiesel. Further, Biodiesel is more hygroscopic, requiring water separators to prevent engine damage.
Biodiesel is a little bit of a compromise though. While being deemed more environmentally friendly, users will find that their engines might lack a little bit of power. The blended fuel has a lower energy content and thus, Biodiesel is not as powerful. However, most drivers will not likely not notice in daily use, especially in cities.
Should you wish to use Biodiesel, it is best to check with the car’s manufacturer first. Many brands have accounted for the use of Biodiesel in many countries and now their vehicles come equipped as standard to be able to use Biodiesel, some even up to 100 percent. Older vehicles can be retrofit with the technology to enable them to use Biodiesel. German Motors can be of assistance should you consider such an upgrade of your car.
