Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a form of alternative fuel which can be used to power diesel engines. Its ingredients are biological rather than petrol/diesel based and it can be used in many diesel cars with little or no modifications. Generally older vehicles are more likely to need modifications than newer models.
In most cases biodiesel is made from vegetable, animal or other natural oils/fats and other ingredients such as methanol. It may also be used in tandem with standard diesel fuel in a mix. Biodiesel is ranked by a range of categories which tells you how pure the mix is that you are using. For example, B100 is 100% pure biodiesel and B20 is a mix of 20% biodiesel and 80% standard fuel.
The advantages of using biodiesel include:
- It is safer as it is not flammable and it in non-toxic.
- It is biodegradable and better for the environment than other fuels. It has reduced carbon dioxide and monoxide emissions and no sulphur emissions.
- It is sustainable in that its natural ingredients can easily be replenished via general farming and agricultural activity.
- It helps protects your engine making it last longer and run more efficiently.
On the downside biodiesel does increase your emissions of nitrogen oxides and it can be a problem in older cars where it can clog up and degrade older types of rubber hoses. This problem can be solved with modifications both before and shortly after you start using this kind of fuel.