Biodiesel As An Alternative Fuel
You have probably already noticed Biodiesel at your local gas station, but if you haven't it won't be much longer. he use of biodiesel has increased by more than 50 times over the past five years. With oil prices skyrocketing and renewable natural resources becoming a growing concern, it is predicted to continue increasing in the future with both companies and consumers considering diesel alternatives.
Unlike fossil fuels, biodiesel is a biodegradable fuel made from a renewable resource; in the United States the primary source of Biodiesel is soybeans. Amazingly enough, this alternative to diesel can also be made from vegetable oil and other sources.
Of course to use biodiesel you have to own a diesel burning vehicle. Although they have long been popular in Europe, diesel-powered passenger vehicles made up only 8 % of sales in the United States last year, according to data from Edmunds. Americans have never been turned on by the noisy engines they remember as diesel even though the engines have been made to run more quietly.
Today, new diesels are being built to meet the stricter emission standards. For example, modern diesel engines have improved to have 20%-40% better fuel economy and more power than gasoline fueled competition. Biodiesel also has other benefits such as the fact that its production is more environmentally friendly. Not only will it reduce polluting emissions it will also decreases the use of foreign oil. The best thing is this can be done without having to make modifications to the vehicle. Usually, Biodiesel is mixed with petroleum diesel and labeled using the mix's percentage of biodiesel. For example, if the label says B5, that mix is made of 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel. You will probably find most often the biodiesel blends of B20 and B2. Even in the seemingly small percentage of the blends, there are many environmental benefits biodiesel versus petroleum diesel fuel. Two of the main positive aspects are that biodiesel is non-toxic to animals and plants and biodegradable. It is also almost completely free of sulfur and benzene, which are two of the elements of petroleum diesel that are regulated by the emissions board. Why has biodiesel not grown even faster? Part of the problem is that it costs about 1 cent per gallon more than petroleum diesel for every one percent of biodiesel added to the mix. For example, B5 would average 5 cents more per gallon than petroleum diesel and B20 would be about 20 cents per gallon more. With support and incentives from the government, the price is expected to come down to more affordable levels. The current state of the oil supply will probably also pressure the United States into becoming more self-sufficient in producing fuel for its drivers and provide diesel alternatives. With biodiesel not depleting the resource because it is renewable, we would no longer be at the mercy of high priced barrels of crude oil being imported from overseas. The increased awareness of needing to "go green" will also help the future of biodiesel popularity.
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