Critical Ideas As To Why Biodiesel Gains Acceptance From Big Auto
As the automotive industry becomes more sustainable and moves toward better fuel mileage efficiencies, longer-lasting engines and a significant reduction in carbon emissions, manufacturers have also been paying attention to improvements in diesel engines. Conventional petro diesel is being replaced by a low sulphur alternative and this is of benefit to those who use, or wish to use biodiesel in their vehicles.
Equipment manufacturers are producing diesel engines and components which are more suitable for both low sulphur diesel and biodiesel. While it is true that pure blends of biodiesel can damage certain rubber compounds over a period of time, especially in older diesel engines, this issue is likely to decrease as more stringent rubber compounds are used. Indeed, if biodiesel is used in lower blends and not “neat,” any issues appear to be negligible.
Mistakenly, some consumers think that if they use biodiesel they will negate the manufacturer warranty. This is completely incorrect, as the diesel engined vehicle manufacturers all support the use of biodiesel. As biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to be certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency, savvy manufacturers are taking note of its potential and embracing its use. Auto industry chiefs can see the trend toward regulation emerging on Capitol Hill and know that they are going to have to produce vehicles with better performance characteristics and long term sustainability.
In the European Union, it is estimated that as many as 50% of all vehicles on the road have diesel engines. This figure is probably 10 times as great as the ratio in the United States, but more manufacturers are planning to import or to produce diesel engine vehicles, as the inexorable trend toward smaller and more economic vehicles accelerates.
Within the last 10 years, interest in biodiesel in the US has grown considerably. Today, more than 700 million gallons are produced annually, compared to less than 1 million in 1999. Considerable growth can be expected in the future. Across the country, 14 organisations have multimillion dollar manufacturing operations, but there are hundreds of fledgling and micro operations elsewhere.
Not surprisingly, making biodiesel commercially is an option that many are considering, in some cases moving up from homemade biodiesel production, supplying neighbours and friends in the locality as they start a business. To enable commercial production of biodiesel fuel, you need to get a certificate from the EPA and a number of grants and incentives may be applicable.
If you are not sure and pondering whether the adoption of biodiesel as your fuel of choice would be a good idea, just consider the advances of the trend toward sustainability. Heavyweight legislation is currently under discussion in Congress and if enacted will force major consumers of energy and emitters of greenhouse gases to cut back considerably. This trend will certainly continue and consumers will demand that companies comply or face action and thus biodiesel fuel is well placed to play its part. If you’re interested in helping the environment, and are looking for a way help others do the same, getting invovled with the production of biodiesel fuel is a great way to start!
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