Will I have to modify my diesel to use biodiesel?

Not if you use fuels with a relatively small percentage of vegetable oil, such as B10 or B20. These fuels can be used in a regular diesel vehicle without any special concerns.

Where do I get it?

Biodiesel is sold commercially.

At the present, there are over 1000 filling stations in the US that sell biodiesel. That number is going up, but it's still infinitesimally small, compared to the estimated 176,000 gas stations in the country. You can also purchase biodiesel in 55-gallon drums, delivered right to your door. (Really want some? Check out our resources area.)

So, it's an official, government-certified fuel? I'm not going to get arrested, and Officer Obie won't take 8x10 color glossy photos, if I use biodiesel?

You're safe.

Biodiesel has passed the health effects testing requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act, and has the seal of approval from the California Air Resources Board.

Is biodiesel for the wacko, environmental fringe?

Not B10 or B20 — but B100, or straight vegetable oil, definitely is!

Anything up to B20 can go right in your diesel engine's tank, with no special concerns. And, while it may not score you a date with the guy with a bird's nest in his beard, it strikes us as a lot less hassle than trying to fuel your car with straight vegetable oil.

What's in it for me if I switch to biodiesel?

First, the vegetable oil portion of the fuel comes from a renewable resource that's grown right here in the US. That reduces our dependence on foreign oil.

Biodiesel reduces a number of tailpipe emissions, but actually increases the smog-increasing nitrous oxides compared to regular diesel.

When the "lifecycle" of the fuel is considered, using B100 biodiesel actually increases the particles that form smog by about 35%.

On the upside, biodiesel does reduce the amount of "air toxics" and soot released into the atmosphere, compared to regular diesel fuel. However, because diesel fuel is so "dirty," biodiesel is still not as clean as a regular, gas-powered vehicle.

What about global warming?

Biodiesel can help curb global warming. Unlike conventional petroleum, the percentage of biodiesel that's from plant matter is part of a "closed cycle," that is reused by plants, before it's what? Made back into fuel again!

The only contribution of carbon dioxide is from the conventional fuel used to grow the plants that are made into vegetable oil, which still results in a 75% reduction in greenhouse gasses for that portion of the biodiesel coming from vegetable oil — 10% or 20% in the case of B10 or B20.

How can I modify my Honda Civic to run on biodiesel?

A: You can't. You need to start with a diesel-powered vehicle.

Will any diesel vehicle run on biodiesel?

Yes. Except, of course, diesels that won't start with conventional diesel, either. They will continue to sit in the pasture and rust.

A diesel? Didn't they stop selling those in the US?

Mercedes, Volkswagen and Jeep are the primary suppliers of new diesel passenger vehicles in the US, although not all states allow the sale of new diesel vehicles, due to the pollution they contribute.

There are a number of diesel-powered pick up trucks available, including Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler.

Would I have to be nuts to even consider doing this?

Biodiesel is becoming more widely accepted — so much so that even politicians (our leaders) are starting to follow.

Will it hurt my car to run it on biodiesel?

A mix of 10-20 percent vegetable oil to diesel (B10 or B20) seems to be quite safe. Some pioneers, who blog about their fuel use and mung bean garden, say they've been running on B50 with no problems to date. We don't have the evidence to endorse that yet.

Using B100 is another story. Though it doesn't introduce nearly as many hassles as using straight vegetable oil, B100 may require replacing some fuel line components, and can result in some operating problems — especially in cold weather.

Will I get better mileage with biodiesel?

You should get about the same miles per gallon as 100% petrodiesel.

What about my warranty?

B10 and B20 are approved, federally-regulated diesel fuel for which its use doesn't require any modifications and shouldn't affect a new car warranty.

Where can I buy biodiesel?

The NBB website has a map showing all the biodiesel retail locations in the US. Not surprisingly, these are concentrated in the Midwest, home of the soybean.

I want to make my own biodiesel! What's involved?

A lot of work, actually. Reprocessing plutonium might be easier. You need some containers, pure methanol, lye, a scale accurate to 0.1 grams, duct tape, a thermometer, funnels, a blender and some measuring beakers. Some folks are going all the way, planting their own rapeseed and pressing their own vegetable oil.

Before you go tilling the front yard, though, you might want to know that you'll need at least an acre of rapeseed to produce 100 gallons of oil for fuel. Don't forget, too, that you'll need some sort of an additive to keep your biodiesel from going rancid. Happy farming!

I'm thinking about getting a new car. Should I get a diesel?

We wouldn't.

Here's why. Current gasoline engines are far less polluting when compared to diesel vehicles, including diesels using the new, cleaner diesel fuel that's being introduced this year.

Because they're much less common, it's also harder to find a mechanic who will work on a diesel vehicle.

We'd suggest you consider a fuel-efficient, conventional or hybrid gas vehicle.