Upon hearing the news recently regarding the supermarket Morrisons selling Biodiesel. I decided to look into it as a potential fuel. Does this mean the world of greener motoring has been brought into the reach of the general public like me? I immediately investigated…
Is it an eco friendly alternative to regular diesel?
For starters, The biodiesel sold by Morrisons is B30. This means 30% Bio and 70% Fossil or “Dinosoar” Diesel as it is known in the Biodiesel producing community. They specify that 50% is recycled waste vegetable oil and 50% is made from crops.
So, In your tank there will be 15% recycled fuel – not amazing for something with such large “green” claims. However, supermarket Biodiesel is not the end of the line here. Springing up all over the place are other smaller producers. These producers are often linked to the catering industry so use recycled vegetabe oil to make the fuel. This is sounding much greener already.
This moring I visited Uptown Oil, producers of Biodiesel in South London. The Diesel I bought was B100 (100% Bio, no Dino). It cost slightly less than Dino Diesel and was produced by local people from local waste vegetable oil.
Will it blow my car up?
Well…
There have been conflicting reports in the press about this. Many Biodiesel producers say it is safe for all engines, this claim makes sense as most independent producers produce to EN14214 specifications.
Peugeot have announced their HDi engines are able to use B30 without voiding the warranty. Renault and others have also highlighted new models that can safely use Biodiesel.
If you are planning to use B30 or stronger in your own vehicle I’d suggest the usual avenues of internet research on your specific model.
Curious about his I got myself a Diesel powered vehicle. The guys at cool-air4u.com Surrey based Air Conditioning experts were kind enough to donate an old workhorse of theirs, a 1996 Renault Extra. Research online bought me to the conclusion that I had no chance of running Biofuel in this van without a huge fireball engulfing the vehicle and taking out a nearby orphanage. Stumbling onto energysolutions.org.uk renewable energy experts one night I discovered a revalation. In a 2004 issue of their pdf magazine they discuss their experiences with Biodiesel. And there it was, a picture of my exact van.
Armed with this knowlege I drove down to Uptown Oil, producers of Biodiesel in South London and had it confirmed. “They love it” the chap holding the pump nozzle said. Now, with an (almost) full tank of B100 and some optimism, only time will tell if my van does indeed blow up in an orphan worrying fireball.
Things to worry about / Biodiesel FAQ
- Winter
- Vehicle Compatibility
- Fuel Tax
- Availability
1.) Winter
In the winter plain B100 can be to viscous for easy starting. The gentleman at Uptown Oil said a mix of £5-£10 of regular fossil Diesel will thin the B100 enought o combat this during very cold weather. It is not unknown for a supplier to brew “winter” batches of fuel also, these are thinner for use in cold temperatures. So do check before you fuel up.
2.) Vehicle Compatibility.
Search the ‘net as much as you can. You will probably find you are not the only owner of your vehicle to consider using Biodiesel. If your vehicle is new consider calling the manufacturer, some vehicles will run fine “out the box” on Biodiesel, without voidingg the warranty.
Biodiesel is known to have a “cleaning effect” on the fuel system of a vehicle run previously on fossil Diesel. All the deposits made by the fossil fuel over the years will be washed “downstream” and collect in your fuel filter so, please before you drive a few hundred miles on Biodiesel, locate your fuel filter and buy a spare (they are very cheap).
3.) Tax
Visit my sister site, Ecolawblog -The Law on Biodiesel for the recent change in the law regarding “small/home producers” of Biodiesel.
If you get your fuel from a supplier they should have paid all the nessecary duty for you.
4.) Availability.
As lots of these new startups have been spending time making fuel not websites locating a supplier is tricky.
An internet search for “location” Biodiesel might be good place to start. Searching for “free waste oil collection” may also lead you there.
Currently I only know the following 4 suppliers in my area:
- Morrisons Woking Branch – B30
- Pure Fuels Ltd, producers of Biodiesel in North London – B100
- Uptown Oil, producers of Biodiesel in South London
- Proper Oils, producers of Biodiesel in Twickenham
My B100 experience
In the Blog page and on the right hand sidebar of the site, there is a link to My Biodiesel Experiment. I will update the progress of my B100 testing in here.
