Phillips Biodiesel - Phillips BioFuel Supply CoWholesale biofuelsin New England andnationwideAbout biodiesel
Biodiesel - Clean Fuel - Made in America
What Types of Vehicles Run on Biodiesel?
Biodiesel
blends can be used in any light- or heavy-duty diesel engine. However,
it is important to check with your manufacturer before using biodiesel.
As with any fuel, an engine component failure caused by the fuel may not
be covered under warranty.
Biodiesel
blends are being used in a number of heavy-duty vehicles throughout the
country. The most common blend of biodiesel is B20 (20% biodiesel / 80%
diesel), but B100 (neat biodiesel) and blends of less than 20%
biodiesel can also be used.
Vehicles
that have successfully used biodiesel include school and transit buses,
refuse haulers, military support vehicles, farm equipment, and national
park maintenance vehicles. Biodiesel fueling of light-duty diesel
vehicles is less common. It is important to always consult your vehicle
manufacturer to make sure they approve the use of biodiesel in their
products.
Fleets
looking to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) must use
fuel blends that contain at least 20% biodiesel. For more information on
EPAct go to the EPAct Web site. For more information on fuel blends of 20% biodiesel or less, please see our site on fuel blends.
Fuel Availability
Biodiesel is available in various parts of the United States; visit the fueling station locator page to find locations offering biodiesel. To obtain biodiesel through bulk suppliers, check Biodiesel Industry Contacts for a listing or contact the National Biodiesel Board for a list of registered suppliers.
The Biodiesel Driving Experience
In the United States, more than 10 million miles have been driven on neat biodiesel and biodiesel blends. Learn about Biodiesel Success Stories as part of the Clean Cities Program.
Biodiesel Safety
As with
all vehicles, adequate training is required to operate and maintain
vehicles running on biodiesel. The flashpoint of biodiesel is
significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel, which makes
the fuel safer in general. Neat biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable,
and emits fewer carcinogens in the exhaust than conventional diesel
fuel.
Biodiesel Fuel Costs
Using
biodiesel blends requires little or no engine modification and
maintenance costs are comparable to those of conventional diesel
vehicles. Neat biodiesel costs range from $1.95 to $3 per gallon,
depending on the feedstock and supplier. In general, B20 will cost $.20
to $.40 per gallon more than conventional diesel. For more information,
download the Alternative Fuel Price Report from the AFDC.
Maintenance Considerations
Always
check with the vehicle manufacturer before fueling with biodiesel. In
older vehicles, high-percentage blends of biodiesel (greater than 20%)
can affect fuel hoses and pump seals made from certain elastomers. The
effect is lessened with lower percentage blends. Elastomers (found in
hoses and gaskets) that are biodiesel-compatible are required for use
with B100 and high-percentage biodiesel blends.
All
diesel fuels require special measures for use in cold temperatures.
Biodiesel has a higher cloud point than conventional diesel. However,
the same strategies used to ensure operability of conventional diesel
fuels in wintertime will also work for biodiesel blends. These include
the use of additives and blending with No. 1 diesel.
To
protect equipment and ensure trouble-free operation, B100 used for
blending with conventional diesel should meet the ASTM D6751
specification.
Benefits
According to the National Biodiesel Board, using a B20 biodiesel fuel blend can reduce vehicle emissions:
Unburned hydrocarbons - 20% reduction
Carbon monoxide - 12% reduction
Particulate matter - 12% reduction
Biodiesel
is domestically produced, so its use helps reduce the nation's
dependence on imported oil and can help boost the agricultural sector of
the economy.
Biodiesel
is a renewable fuel made from domestically grown crops like soybeans
and mustard seed. Biodiesel can also be produced from recycled cooking
grease.
When using biodiesel, lubricity is improved over conventional diesel fuel.
Performance
Horsepower, torque, acceleration, cruising speed, and fuel economy are similar to those for diesel fuel.
The
energy content of B100 is 10%-12% lower than conventional diesel. This
leads to roughly 2% lower energy content in B20 blends.
The cetane number for biodiesel is significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel.
Additional Resources
National Biodiesel Board
Biodiesel - Clean Fuel - Made in America
Using Biodiesel in Vehicles
What Types of Vehicles Run on Biodiesel?
Biodiesel
blends can be used in any light- or heavy-duty diesel engine. However,
it is important to check with your manufacturer before using biodiesel.
As with any fuel, an engine component failure caused by the fuel may not
be covered under warranty.
Biodiesel
blends are being used in a number of heavy-duty vehicles throughout the
country. The most common blend of biodiesel is B20 (20% biodiesel / 80%
diesel), but B100 (neat biodiesel) and blends of less than 20%
biodiesel can also be used.
Vehicles
that have successfully used biodiesel include school and transit buses,
refuse haulers, military support vehicles, farm equipment, and national
park maintenance vehicles. Biodiesel fueling of light-duty diesel
vehicles is less common. It is important to always consult your vehicle
manufacturer to make sure they approve the use of biodiesel in their
products.
Fleets
looking to comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) must use
fuel blends that contain at least 20% biodiesel. For more information on
EPAct go to the EPAct Web site. For more information on fuel blends of 20% biodiesel or less, please see our site on fuel blends.
Fuel Availability
Biodiesel is available in various parts of the United States; visit the fueling station locator page to find locations offering biodiesel. To obtain biodiesel through bulk suppliers, check Biodiesel Industry Contacts for a listing or contact the National Biodiesel Board for a list of registered suppliers.
The Biodiesel Driving Experience
In the United States, more than 10 million miles have been driven on neat biodiesel and biodiesel blends. Learn about Biodiesel Success Stories as part of the Clean Cities Program.
Biodiesel Safety
As with
all vehicles, adequate training is required to operate and maintain
vehicles running on biodiesel. The flashpoint of biodiesel is
significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel, which makes
the fuel safer in general. Neat biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable,
and emits fewer carcinogens in the exhaust than conventional diesel
fuel.
Biodiesel Fuel Costs
Using
biodiesel blends requires little or no engine modification and
maintenance costs are comparable to those of conventional diesel
vehicles. Neat biodiesel costs range from $1.95 to $3 per gallon,
depending on the feedstock and supplier. In general, B20 will cost $.20
to $.40 per gallon more than conventional diesel. For more information,
download the Alternative Fuel Price Report from the AFDC.
Maintenance Considerations
Always
check with the vehicle manufacturer before fueling with biodiesel. In
older vehicles, high-percentage blends of biodiesel (greater than 20%)
can affect fuel hoses and pump seals made from certain elastomers. The
effect is lessened with lower percentage blends. Elastomers (found in
hoses and gaskets) that are biodiesel-compatible are required for use
with B100 and high-percentage biodiesel blends.
All
diesel fuels require special measures for use in cold temperatures.
Biodiesel has a higher cloud point than conventional diesel. However,
the same strategies used to ensure operability of conventional diesel
fuels in wintertime will also work for biodiesel blends. These include
the use of additives and blending with No. 1 diesel.
To
protect equipment and ensure trouble-free operation, B100 used for
blending with conventional diesel should meet the ASTM D6751
specification.
Benefits
According to the National Biodiesel Board, using a B20 biodiesel fuel blend can reduce vehicle emissions:
Unburned hydrocarbons - 20% reduction
Carbon monoxide - 12% reduction
Particulate matter - 12% reduction
Biodiesel
is domestically produced, so its use helps reduce the nation's
dependence on imported oil and can help boost the agricultural sector of
the economy.
Biodiesel
is a renewable fuel made from domestically grown crops like soybeans
and mustard seed. Biodiesel can also be produced from recycled cooking
grease.
When using biodiesel, lubricity is improved over conventional diesel fuel.
Performance
Horsepower, torque, acceleration, cruising speed, and fuel economy are similar to those for diesel fuel.
The
energy content of B100 is 10%-12% lower than conventional diesel. This
leads to roughly 2% lower energy content in B20 blends.
The cetane number for biodiesel is significantly higher than that of conventional diesel fuel.
Additional Resources
National Biodiesel Board