How is Biodiesel Different Than Traditional Diesel?
Written on: February 6, 2023
A Quick Guide to Understanding This Cleaner, Greener Fuel
If you operate a diesel fleet, you know that efficiency and power are the key advantages of diesel over regular gasoline when it comes to heavy duty commercial vehicles. Additionally, the average diesel engines tend to last longer and require less maintenance over their lifespan—even as they handle bigger loads.
Now, much like gasoline, diesel is made from refined crude oil, but it is less flammable and less volatile than gas and delivers a lot more power. So, what’s the deal with biodiesel? How does it work in comparison? Here’s what you need to know:
What Is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a fuel made from renewable, green resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats that are processed with alcohol to form methyl esters and glycerin. It is then blended with a small amount of regular diesel, to improve cold-weather performance.
B20 (20% biodiesel/80% petroleum diesel) biodiesel is the most common blend from a performance and cost perspective.
Understanding the Benefits of Biodiesel
- You can use biodiesel blends such as B20 in any engine that runs on diesel fuel. No additional modifications are necessary.
- It’s better for engines. Biodiesel increases the cetane number of the fuel, which means the engine is easier to start and reduces ignition delay. It also has improved lubricity. That means it reduces friction and slows wear on moving parts, helping them last longer and keeping vehicles out of the shop and on the road.
- There’s virtually no difference in performance or mileage. Engines operating on B20 biodiesel have similar fuel consumption, horsepower and torque to engines running on 100% petroleum diesel. Many B20 users report no noticeable difference in performance or fuel economy. Biodiesel also has some emissions benefits, especially for engines manufactured before 2010.
- It’s domestically produced and renewable.
- Low emissions help improve air quality.
- It’s safer to handle, store and transport than regular diesel or gasoline.
Making Business Easier for You
Choosing biodiesel is a smart choice for vehicle performance, as well as environmental impact. When you depend on every truckload of diesel fuel for the success of your business, that fuel is more than just a line item in your budget. Whether you opt for standard diesel or biodiesel—or both, the experts at Pico Propane and Fuels are ready to make sure you have the supplies you need, when you need them.
Our commercial and business partnerships are important to us, and that’s why we strive to deliver real value that goes beyond competitive prices.
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff has fuel management expertise that takes the stress and guesswork out of commercial fuel deliveries. We’ve got the experience to understand your needs and help you plan, schedule, and manage your fuel deliveries. We can also help you track your fuel usage to reduce waste and improve efficiency. And we can work with you to plan a fueling station right at your business or job site, too.
We’re always here to take your call. Contact us today to find out how we can make doing business easier for you.
