The Driving Woman - Biodiesel Basics

Biodiesel Basics

Fuel pump with leaves. Photo courtesy of iStockphoto. Over at the Green Car Advisor, Mac Demere has given us a pros-and-cons look at biodiesel that's worth reading. He makes using biodiesel sound a bit daunting, and advises against using used restaurant oil as a fuel generally. But I know another Edmunds contributor, Dave Chameides, happily runs his VW -- for free -- on waste vegetable oil. Dave converted his wife's car, too, and now the family of four is running petroleum free -- in car-happy Los Angleles, no less. What a concept!

We'll be adding some new stories on biodiesel on the Edmunds Green Car Guide soon, as well. But if you want to keep up with everything green on a daily basis, including the new Ford "Ecoboost" direct injection technology, Caddy's E-flex hydrogen small SUV concept, and the latest on CAFE and fuel economy regulation, lithium ion battery developments, hybrids and so on, keep your eyes on the Green Car Advisor. It covers a world where technological development is progressing faster than you can say, "Fill 'er up!"

Posted by Joanne Jan 9, 2008 4:27 pm

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Categories: Car Maintenance | Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage | What Women Want in a Car

Comments

autoboy16 - Jan 9, 2008 9:04 pm (#1 Total: 2)

Fl USA

If ihave the money, I'd love to buy the TDI jetta from insidelinewhen they've retired it! I think it would be kind of cool! But i'd happily get the new 2.0tdi or 1.9 2005.5-2006.

I'd love a diesel car and I'm interested to see how the jetta diesel performs b4 I get my own. I think insideline plans on testing it on B100 too.
-Cj

texases - Jan 10, 2008 11:17 am (#2 Total: 2)

Mac's article is excellent, and notes the major issues associated with biodiesel and other biofuels (deforestation, etc.). I don't put too much weight on what one person (Dave) is able to do with one car, no matter how well-intentioned his efforts are.