Biodiesel

I reckon diesel users need to know:

• if biodiesel is any good
• if it will take the pressure off diesel prices
• if it is the right alternative fuel for New Zealand

Scientists and engineers have been testing biodiesel since the 1970s, and the manufacturing process is well understood. Click here for a description of the biodiesel manufacturing process.

Biodiesel is well-proven, but it probably won't replace conventional diesel. The world does not have enough land to grow the feedstock. Understandably, estimates of production capacity vary, but it seems that the world could satisfy only a few percent of its diesel requirements with biodiesel.

New Zealand needs biodiesel because it's an excellent lubricity additive for synthetic diesel. New Zealand scientists have known for over thirty years how to produce enough indigenous renewable synthetic fuel to satisfy our need for liquid fuels, including diesel and jet fuel. Synthetic diesel requires an additive to lubricate fuel system components. A small percentage of biodiesel does the trick. New Zealand can certainly make enough biodiesel from indigenous resources to satisfy this requirement.

I've put together a reasonably comprehensive summary of what I've been able to learn about biodiesel. Check out the links at right to find out what I've written. You won't find any b.s., and I have tried to cover all the important practical issues.

If you can't find what you need, either send email to
or browse around Green Car Congress

return to the diesel index

The diesel index

Diesel jargon buster

Biodiesel

• What is biodiesel?
• Preparing for biodiesel

Interesting biodiesel projects

Daryl Hannah’s El Camino (don't forget to check out the truck!)

Earthrace - kiwi-built biodiesel fizz-boat

Ralph Sims's biodiesel VW Golf - a kiwi scientist who has been testing biodiesel since the 1970s

MTV's 800hp biodiesel Chevy Impala

Practical advice from the engine and equipment manufacturers

Caterpillar (Dec 2005)

Case New Holland (May 2006)

Cummins (March 2007)

Engine manufacturers association (Feb 2003)

Fuel injection equipment manufacturers (Jun 2004)

Jeep

John Deere (March 2005)

Kubota (Nov 2006)

Scania (June 2006)

Volvo

Yanmar (undated)