Frequently Asked Questions

Where can biodiesel be used?

Biodiesel can be used for household and industrial heating as well as automotive, truck and marine transportation. Essentially anywhere petroleum diesel fuel is used, biodiesel may be used pure or as a percentage mixture with petroleum diesel.

Who uses biodiesel today?

In Europe, biodiesel is sold publicly in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain and the Czech Republic. In France, all diesel fuel sold at fuel stations is mixed at 5% with biodiesel. In Germany, on average you can find biodiesel sold at fuel stations every 25km.

Since Lake Constance is Europe's largest drinking water reservoir, boats and ferries are required to use biodiesel due to its environmentally friendly properties.

What modifications are necessary for my engine or heating system?

Since biodiesel is an oxygenated fuel, normally the only modification necessary for heating systems is the adjustment of the fuel/air mixture settings.

For automotive, truck and marine applications, if the vehicle was manufactured since 1996, there is a strong possibility no modification is required to use biodiesel at a 25% mixture with petroleum diesel. For older vehicles, normally the only modifications required are changing the "black colored" fuel lines for modern, resistant tubing installed on today's engines.
For lists of Biodiesel compatible vehicles see - http://www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/standards_and_warranties.shtm
or download the PDF file http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/OEM%20Statements/oem_matrix.pdf
From Germany, for lists of Biodiesel compatible vehicles see -http://www.ufop.de/biodiesel_fahrzeughersteller.php
VW, Seat, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, MAN, IVECO, Volvo, Suzuki and others have endorsed biodiesel.

What agricultural crops produce the highest oil yields?

Crop yields vary widely as can be seen from the table (Crop Yields) with corn and soybean being at the lower end of the scale and palm oil being at the top end.