Biodeisel Advantages

**Advantages & Disadvantages of Biodiesel Compared to Petroleum Diesel**
Advantages	Disadvantages
Made from non-petroleum, renewable resources that can be produced domestically Can be used in most diesel engines, especially newer ones Less carbon monoxide, particulates, and sulfur dioxide emissions 78% less carbon dioxide (CO2) production Biodegradable Non-toxic Safer to handle	Slightly lower fuel economy and power (10% lower for B100, 2% for B20) Currently more expensive More nitrogen oxide emissions Transportation & storage of B100 require special management B100 generally not suitable for use in low temperatures B100 thickens at temperatures under 40 degrees F. Additives and blends can be used to reduce these problems. Concerns about B100's impact on engine durability

Advantages & Disadvantages of Biodiesel Compared to Petroleum Diesel

Advantages

Disadvantages

Made from non-petroleum, renewable resources that can be produced domestically
Can be used in most diesel engines, especially newer ones
Less carbon monoxide, particulates, and sulfur dioxide emissions
78% less carbon dioxide (CO2) production
Biodegradable
Non-toxic
Safer to handle

Slightly lower fuel economy and power (10% lower for B100, 2% for B20)
Currently more expensive
More nitrogen oxide emissions
Transportation & storage of B100 require special management
B100 generally not suitable for use in low temperatures
B100 thickens at temperatures under 40 degrees F. Additives and blends can be used to reduce these problems.
Concerns about B100's impact on engine durability

B100 is 100% biodiesel, B20 is a 20% blend of biodiesel with petroleum diesel.

Biodiesel fuel is safer than petroleum diesel as it produces less greenhouse gas emissions, and less air pollutants. Also, as seen in the chart above, it is non-toxic and biodegradable, and overall just safer to handle then normal petroleum diesel. Of course, there are disadvantages too as seen above as well, but the fact is it's possible the advantages outweigh the negatives overall.

For more details on biodiesel benefits, go to the National Biodiesel Board's Benefits of Biodiesel Fact Sheet (PDF 19 KB).