Biodiesel

is made from vegetable oils

Biodiesel is most often blended with petroleum diesel in ratios of 2% (B2), 5% (B5), or 20% (B20).
Biodiesel can also be used as pure biodiesel (B100). Biodiesel fuels can be used in regular diesel
engines without making any changes to the engines.

Reaching that goal would significantly lessen U.S. dependence on imported oil, bolstering national
security and reducing our trade deficit. At the same time, biodiesel’s growth would boost the U.S.
economy, not just by creating jobs but also by reducing our dependence on global oil markets and
vulnerability to price spikes. There are currently about 200 biodiesel plants across the country –
from Washington state to Iowa to North Carolina – with registered capacity to produce some 3
billion gallons of fuel. The industry is supporting nearly 48,000 jobs, generating billions of dollars in
GDP, household income and tax revenues. The industry’s economic impact is poised to grow
significantly with continued production increases. The industry supports jobs in a variety of sectors,
from manufacturing to transportation, agriculture and service.

Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower
emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as
sugar. Produced domestically with natural resources, its use decreases our dependence on imported
fuel and contributes to our own economy.

Most automakers approve blends up to B5. Some approve blends up to B20. Check with your
owner’s manual or automaker to determine the right blend for your vehicle. Using the wrong blend
could damage your engine and/or void the manufacturer's warranty.

Biodiesel is one common example of a renewable diesel. Hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel
(HDRD) is another type of renewable diesel produced by hydrotreating of similar fat or oil based
biodiesel feedstock. Other technologies to turn biomass into renewable diesel are being developed.

Biodiesel reduces nearly all forms of air pollution compared to petroleum diesel. In particular,
Biodiesel reduces toxic contaminants and cancer-causing compounds, along with the black smoke
associated with diesel exhaust.

Biodiesel also reduces nearly all forms of air pollution, which contribute to global warming. Lifecycle
analyses of Biodiesel production, distribution and use show that Biodiesel produces 78% less CO2
than petroleum diesel fuel, making Biodiesel the best liquid fuel commercially available.

The use of domestic, renewable sources of energy reduces our dependence on imported oil, thereby
improving our nation's energy security and allowing us to shift away from the sole reliance on a
resource that is rapidly diminishing.

The domestic Biodiesel industry provides jobs and economic development.

Biodiesel is easy to use and can be used in existing diesel vehicles and engines.

Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil or animal fat (triglycerides) reacted with methanol or ethanol
and a catalyst (lye), yielding biodiesel (fatty acid methyl or ethyl esters) and glycerin as a by-product.

It can be used in any diesel engine without modifications — diesel engines run better and last longer
with biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product: used cooking oil.

Biodiesel is a much cleaner fuel than conventional fossil-fuel petroleum diesel ("dinodiesel").

Biodiesel burns up to 75% cleaner than petroleum diesel fuel.

Biodiesel reduces unburned hydrocarbons (93% less), carbon monoxide (50% less) and particulate
matter (30% less) in exhaust fumes, as well as cancer-causing PAH (80% less) and nitrited PAH
compounds (90% less). (US Environmental Protection Agency)

Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur).

Biodiesel is plant-based and using it adds no extra CO2 greenhouse gas to the atmosphere.

The ozone-forming (smog) potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than petro-diesel
emissions.

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions may increase or decrease with biodiesel but can be reduced to well
below petro-diesel fuel levels.

Biodiesel exhaust is not offensive and doesn't cause eye irritation (it smells like French fries!).

Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, and "more biodegradable than sugar and less
toxic than table salt" (US National Biodiesel Board, based on US Environmental Protection Agency
studies).

Biodiesel is a much better lubricant than petro-diesel and extends engine life -- even a small amount
of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication: 1% biodiesel added to petro-
diesel will increase lubricity by 65%.

Biodiesel can be mixed with petro-diesel in any proportion, with no need for a mixing additive.

Biodiesel has a higher cetane number than petroleum diesel because of its oxygen content. The
higher the cetane number, the more efficient the fuel -- the engine starts more easily, runs better
and burns cleaner.

With slight variations depending on the vehicle, performance and fuel economy with biodiesel is the
same as with petro-diesel.

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine without modification.