Biodiesel

Biodiesels are environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional petroleum-based fuels. Biodiesels are mainly made from renewable resources such as animal fats or vegetable oils. A production process is used to convert the base oil to the desired esters and to remove fatty acids. After this process, bio diesels have similar combustion properties to petroleum diesel, and can replace diesels in their most frequent uses. Currently, bio diesels are most commonly used as an additive to diesel, improving the lubricity of pure, ultra-low sulphur diesel.

Biodiesels are currently the number one option in replacing fossil fuels as the world's main transport fuel.

The production and use of biodiesel is increasing rapidly, and Europe, the US and Asia have the fastest growing production of bio diesels. An increasing number of fuel stations are selling bio diesels and some large transport fleets, councils and public transport fleets are using some proportion of bio diesel in their fuel.

Some people are even making their own biodiesel by collecting used vegetable oils from restaurants and takeaways, filtering it and then using it in their cars.

Only diesel engines can run on biodiesel and not all engines can cope with it, they may need to be modified first.

The British Association for Bio Fuels and Oils offers a wealth of information about the production and use of bio diesels as alternatives to petrol-diesel.

Biodiesel Filling Stations Find out where you can fill your diesel vehicle with Biodiesel in the UK.

Click here for a full list of biodiesel companies.