Biodiesel is a domestically produced, clean-burning, renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases energy security, benefits our economy, and improves public health and the environment.
What Is BioDiesel
Biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel produced from a wide range of vegetable oils and animal fats. Pure biodiesel or biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel can be used to fuel diesel vehicles, providing energy security and emissions and safety benefits. Biodiesel can be made from new or used vegetable oils and animal fats, which are nontoxic, biodegradable, and renewable. Fats and oils are chemically reacted with an alcohol (methanol is most commonly used in the United States) to produce chemical compounds known as fatty acid methyl esters. Biodiesel is the name given to these esters when they are intended for use as fuel.