Biodiesel
Biodiesel is much cleaner than fossil-fuel diesel. It can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modifications -- in fact diesel engines run better and last longer with Biodiesel. And it can easily be made from a common waste product, you can even use cooking oil. Some facts:
- Biodiesel fuel burns up to 75% cleaner than conventional diesel fuel made from fossil fuels
- Biodiesel substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter in exhaust fumes
- Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated (biodiesel contains no sulphur)
- Biodiesel is plant-based and adds no CO2 to the atmosphere
- The ozone-forming potential of biodiesel emissions is nearly 50% less than conventional diesel fuel
- Nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions may increase or decrease but can be reduced to well below conventional diesel fuel levels by adjusting engine timing
- Biodiesel exhaust is not offensive and doesn't cause eye irritation
- Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, "more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt" (US National Biodiesel Board)
- Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine
- Fuel economy is the same as conventional diesel fuel
- Biodiesel is a much better lubricant than conventional diesel fuel and extends engine life -- a German truck won an entry in the Guinness Book of Records by travelling more than 1.25 million km (780,000 miles) on biodiesel with its original engine
- Biodiesel has a high cetane rating, which improves engine performance: 20% biodiesel added to conventional diesel fuel improves the cetane rating 3 points, making it a Premium fuel
- Biodiesel can be mixed with ordinary diesel fuel in any proportion -- even a small amount of biodiesel means cleaner emissions and better engine lubrication: 1% biodiesel will increase lubricity by 65%
- Biodiesel can be produced from any fat or vegetable oil, including waste cooking oil.
