The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895, when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine which ran on vegetable oil. Rudolf Diesel showcased his engine prototype at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, using peanut oil as fuel – the world’s first biodiesel fuel.

Modern day biodiesel fuel is typically manufactured from vegetable or seed oils or animal fats from the meat processing industry. The most commonly used feedstocks for producing biodiesel are canola oil, soybeans, cotton seed, mustard seed, palm or coconut oils as well as used cooking oils. The process of converting vegetable or animal oils into biodiesel is known as transesterification. As a transport fuel it can be used in its pure form (called B100) or as a blend with petroleum diesel such as a 5% blend (B5), or a 20% blend (B20) or higher.

Biodiesel can act as a lubricant, is fuel efficient, and can be used in a variety of modern diesel engines without modification. It also extends engine life by reducing wear and tear. Most importantly, tail pipe emissions are substantially reduced.

Other important facts to consider:

• Biodiesel is suitable for passenger cars, light and heavy duty trucks, marine engines, buses, ships, ferries, trains, farm and earth moving equipment, home heating, and two stroke engines (as a mixing agent).
  
• Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that can currently be used in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine.
  
• The physical production and use of biodiesel in vehicles produces up to 80% less carbon dioxide (greenhouse) emissions than diesel, along with major reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions.
  
• B100 reduces carbon monoxide emissions by over 40%, hydrocarbons by 56% and particulate emissions by over 50%.
  
• Biodiesel is safe to store and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar and is flammable at only 125°C compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which is flammable at 55°C.
  
• Biodiesel has been successfully used in vehicles for 20 years in Europe and more recently in the U.S.
  
• The U.S Congressional Budget Office and the U.S Department of Defence have confirmed that biodiesel is the lowest cost alternative diesel fuel option for meeting the Federal Government’s EPACT compliance requirements.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Is biodiesel safe for my diesel engine?
Yes. Biodiesel can be used in most modern diesel engines with no modification to the engine or the fuel system.

Can biodiesel improve my engine?
Biodiesel has many benefits compared with petro-diesel and has been demonstrated to prolong engine life through its lubricating and cleaning qualities.

What are the benefits to the environment?
Biodiesel is fully renewable and can be made from agricultural products produced here in Australia. Biodiesel is also non-toxic to animal and marine life so if a spill occurs at sea it biodegrades to sugars and starches, not harmful chemicals.

Will biodiesel be more expensive?
Due to rising oil prices biodiesel is becoming more competitive and currently enjoys the benefits of having no excise tax for the next 5 years in Australia.

Can biodiesel help the Australian economy?
Like ethanol, biodiesel promotes growth in rural areas through it use of agricultural products and reduces Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels from overseas.

Is biodiesel safe?
Biodiesel is less toxic than table salt, is biodegradable, has a lower odour and vapour pressure than petroleum diesel and is easily and safely stored.

Has biodiesel been thoroughly tested?
Biodiesel has been tested by governments, universities and private firms in the U.S, Canada and Europe and proven successful. These results have been confirmed in vehicle trials by the NSW Road Transport Authority and Newcastle City Council