Katerina Swanson
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It has been used by North American truck fleets for over two decades. Biodiesel is rarely used in its pure form and is typically blended with diesel fuel. In fact, almost all diesel sold in the United States contains blends of up to B5, or 5% biodiesel. While biodiesel is compatible with diesel engines, there are some concerns about its impact on engine performance and longevity, particularly in cold conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I use diesel fuel in a biodiesel truck? | Yes, biodiesel trucks can use diesel fuel. |
| Biodiesel blends | Biodiesel is rarely used in its pure form and is typically blended with diesel fuel. Common blends include B5, B20, and B100. |
| Performance | Biodiesel may offer better fuel economy than diesel. However, biodiesel performs worse than diesel in cold conditions. |
| Engine warranty | Using biodiesel in a truck may void the engine warranty if the fuel does not meet the manufacturer's specifications. |
| Fuel compatibility | Biodiesel may cause issues with fuel compatibility, especially with certain engine models and components. |
| Fuel injection equipment | Biodiesel may impact fuel injectors, filters, and other fuel system components, leading to deteriorated engine performance. |
| Emission control system | Biodiesel may negatively affect emission aftertreatment systems, including catalysts and particulate filters. |
| Fuel prices | Biodiesel can be more expensive than regular diesel, but incentives and rising conventional fuel prices can make it more cost-competitive. |
| Environmental impact | Biodiesel offers environmental benefits, and its use can help meet alternative fuel requirements and reduce carbon footprint. |
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What You'll Learn
Biodiesel blends vs. pure biodiesel
Biodiesel blends and pure biodiesel are both used as fuel, but they have different properties and applications. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It is blended with diesel fuel in different concentrations, with the most common blends being B5 (up to 5% biodiesel) and B20 (6% to 20% biodiesel). B100, or pure biodiesel, is rarely used as a transportation fuel due to a lack of regulatory incentives and pricing, as well as supply logistics challenges.
Biodiesel blends have the advantage of being compatible with conventional diesel engines, with many diesel engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) approving the use of B20. Biodiesel blends can be used in current engines without modifications and are ASTM-approved for safe operation in compression-ignition engines. Additionally, biodiesel has lubrication qualities that can potentially prolong the lifetime of certain engine components.
On the other hand, pure biodiesel (B100) has limited direct-use applications. It has a solvent effect, which can clean a vehicle's fuel system and release deposits accumulated from petroleum diesel use. However, this can also be a disadvantage as the release of these deposits may initially clog filters and require frequent filter replacement in the first few tanks of high-level blends. Pure biodiesel also contains less energy on a volumetric basis than petroleum diesel, resulting in lower energy content per gallon for blends above 20% biodiesel. Additionally, high-level biodiesel blends can impact engine warranties, gel in cold temperatures, and present unique storage issues due to its physical properties.
Overall, biodiesel blends, particularly B20, offer a good balance of cost, emissions, cold-weather performance, and compatibility with conventional engines. B20 is widely used and has prescribed quality standards specified by ASTM. Biodiesel blends are a more common choice for transportation fuel compared to pure biodiesel, which is typically used as a blendstock to produce lower-percentage blends.
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Engine compatibility
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It has been used by North American truck fleets for more than two decades. Biodiesel is rarely used in its pure form and is typically blended with diesel fuel. In fact, you can typically find some biodiesel in almost all "regular" diesel sold at gas stations in the U.S., at blends of up to B5.
All diesel vehicles, whether classified as biodiesel or conventional diesel, have the same internal combustion engine and components. This means that, technically, any diesel vehicle can run on 100% biodiesel when ambient temperatures are not too low. However, engine manufacturers often limit the use of biodiesel in many engine models to ensure no adverse effects over the entire life of the engine. For example, Ford allows up to B20 biodiesel in 6.7 powerstroke engines, but recommends specific oil and oil change intervals if running this blend.
The use of biodiesel in existing engines may cause a number of issues related to materials compatibility, lubricating oil dilution, fuel injection equipment, and exhaust aftertreatment devices. While high lubricity helps prevent premature fuel system wear and tear, it can release deposits on tank walls and pipes, causing fuel filter clogs. The EPA recommends diesel vehicle owners change fuel filters after the first tank of fuel. Biodiesel's performance is also worse than petroleum diesel in cold conditions.
To minimize these potential impacts and ensure engine longevity, engine manufacturers often limit the use of biodiesel to low-level blends. B5 blends have been generally accepted by fuel injection and engine manufacturers worldwide, and most European car manufacturers allow B7 as the maximum blend level.
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Fuel economy
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable alternative fuel made from a mix of modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. It is rarely used in its pure form and is typically blended with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are designated by the amount of diesel fuel in the mixture, with B5, B20, and B100 blends being common. B5 blends, which are 5% biodiesel and 95% diesel, are generally accepted by fuel injection and engine manufacturers worldwide.
Biodiesel has been used by North American truck fleets for over two decades, and it is typically blended with petroleum diesel. B20, for example, is a fuel that is 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. Some fleets are running on higher blends, even up to 100% biodiesel or B100, to take advantage of the renewable fuel's environmental benefits.
Any diesel vehicle can run on B100 when ambient temperatures are not too low. However, in colder climates, a vehicle's fuel tank can be upgraded to a split tank, with a smaller section for diesel and a larger section for biodiesel that can be heated in cold conditions. The regular diesel is used on startup to avoid cold-flow issues, and the system automatically switches to 100% biodiesel when the programmed temperature threshold is reached.
While biodiesel has environmental benefits, there are some concerns about its impact on fuel economy. Biodiesel has higher lubricity, which helps prevent premature fuel system wear and tear, but it can also release deposits on tank walls and pipes, causing fuel filter clogs. The EPA recommends that diesel vehicle owners change fuel filters after the first tank of fuel when using biodiesel. Additionally, biodiesel's performance is worse than petroleum diesel in cold conditions.
Some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do not approve the use of higher-level blends of biodiesel. Before using biodiesel, it is important to check the OEM engine warranty to ensure that higher-level blends of this alternative fuel are approved. Engine manufacturers often limit the use of biodiesel in many engine models to ensure no adverse effects over the entire life of the engine.
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Environmental impact
While biodiesel trucks can run on diesel fuel, the environmental impact of using diesel fuel in a biodiesel truck is significantly more detrimental than that of biodiesel.
Biodiesel is generally considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to diesel fuel. Biodiesel is safer to handle, store, and transport due to its higher flashpoint, making it less combustible. In the event of a spill, biodiesel also causes significantly less damage to the environment than diesel fuel.
Biodiesel is produced from soybeans or other feedstocks, and its combustion releases carbon dioxide, which is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed during the growth of these feedstocks. A life cycle analysis by Argonne National Laboratory found that emissions from 100% biodiesel (B100) were 74% lower than those from petroleum diesel. This analysis considers the environmental impact of a product's entire life cycle, including raw material extraction, processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal or recycling.
Additionally, biodiesel can improve the lubricity of diesel fuel, reducing the wear and tear on engine parts. This improvement in lubricity can lead to enhanced fuel efficiency and a reduction in maintenance costs.
The use of biodiesel also contributes to national energy security by decreasing dependence on traditional petroleum diesel. By providing diverse clean transportation options, biodiesel increases resilience to natural disasters and fuel supply disruptions.
However, it is important to note that not all biodiesel blends are approved by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Before using biodiesel, it is essential to consult the OEM engine warranty to ensure that higher-level blends are approved for your vehicle.
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Fuel prices
Biodiesel and diesel fuel prices vary depending on the region, taxes, biodiesel blend, and other factors. Pure B100 biodiesel tends to be more expensive than diesel fuel, while B20 biodiesel is usually priced lower than conventional diesel. For example, between October 1 and 15, 2024, B100 was priced at $4.04 per gallon, B20 at $3.53, and diesel at $3.64 per gallon.
Diesel fuel prices are influenced by factors such as taxes and regulations, refining, distribution, and marketing. For instance, in 2023, consumers paid 14.4% in federal and state taxes on a gallon of regular diesel. On the other hand, biodiesel prices can fluctuate based on the availability of feedstocks for production and state-specific incentives. The lack of biodiesel fuel compared to diesel can also raise biodiesel prices, as domestic producers may struggle to compete with imported supplies that have higher tariffs and production costs.
In terms of fuel economy, B5 biodiesel, a 5% biodiesel blend, has been shown to provide the best balance of performance, emissions, fuel economy, and convenience. It can run in any diesel engine without requiring vehicle modifications and is pumped into the tank like standard fuel. B5 yielded almost 49 mpg on the highway, compared to around 45 mpg for regular diesel and B100 biodiesel.
While B100 biodiesel offers similar fuel economy and performance to diesel fuel, it typically carries a higher price. There is currently no financial incentive to use B100, and manufacturers usually do not warranty it in their engines. Running a moderate biodiesel blend in a diesel engine may provide slightly better fuel economy and acceleration at a similar cost to conventional diesel.
It is worth noting that some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do not approve the use of higher-level blends of biodiesel. Before using biodiesel, it is important to check the OEM engine warranty to ensure that higher blends are approved.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use diesel fuel in a biodiesel truck. Biodiesel trucks can run on B100 (100% biodiesel) when the ambient temperatures aren't too low. However, in colder climates, a blend of diesel and biodiesel is recommended to avoid cold-flow issues.
While diesel fuel can be used in a biodiesel truck, some issues may arise over time. Biodiesel has higher lubricity, which can cause fuel filter clogs and impact the fuel injectors, filters, and other fuel system components, leading to reduced engine performance. Additionally, biodiesel may affect emissions-control devices and aftertreatment systems.
Biodiesel offers both sustainability and operational benefits. It is a renewable and biodegradable alternative fuel made from modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel. Biodiesel can also be more cost-competitive due to state-level incentives and rising conventional fuel prices.
While biodiesel is typically blended with diesel, some fleets are running on higher blends, up to 100% biodiesel, to maximize the environmental benefits. Heavy- and medium-duty trucks have successfully run on B100 for months and even years. However, it is important to check your OEM engine warranty and ensure that higher-level blends of biodiesel are approved.
