What are some Biodiesel Misconceptions?

Biodiesel is a type of fuel that's becoming more popular because it's made from plants, like soybeans, instead of from oil deep in the ground. In the United States, a lot of the biodiesel comes from soybean oil.

According to an Anderson International CORP article in 2020, the U.S. produced approximately 11.57 million metric tons (MT) of soybean oil. About 3.9 million MT of this supply was then processed into soybean biodiesel. This is important because it helps us use less regular fuel, which is good for the planet.

We're going to talk about some things people often get wrong about biodiesel. For example, some think it's the same as another fuel called ethanol, but it's not. Others worry it might make their cars run poorly, but that's not true either.

And some think it doesn't go as far as regular gas, but we'll see that's not always the case. We'll look at these ideas and show you what's really true about biodiesel myths.

The Truth About Biodiesel

Biodiesel is Not the Same as Ethanol

First off, biodiesel and ethanol are both types of biofuel, but they're pretty different. Ethanol comes from things like corn or sugar cane, and it's a kind of alcohol. Biodiesel is made from oils or fats, like the oil from soybeans. It's important to know they're not the same because they work differently as fuels.

Biodiesel Impacts Vehicle Performance

Some people think using biodiesel might make their cars not work as well. But that's not true. Cars that run on diesel can use a mix of biodiesel and regular diesel without any problems. There's a special mix called B20 that's mostly regular diesel with some biodiesel mixed in, and it works just fine in most diesel cars.

How Far Can You Go on Biodiesel?

Another thing people get wrong is thinking cars don't go as far on biodiesel or other biofuels. But actually, biodiesel can make your car go just as far, and sometimes even further, than regular diesel.

Bio-based fuels generate 2-7% better fuel economy than other types of diesel fuel. This is due to how different fossil fuel particles behave in jet engines. Ethanol is generally in the 70% range in mileage per gallon compared to regular gasoline. 

So, you don't have to worry about running out of gas more quickly if you're using biodiesel.

Biodiesel is All-American

A cool fact about biodiesel is that it's made right here in the U.S.A. It starts with American farmers growing soybeans. Then, those soybeans are turned into oil, which is made into biodiesel. After that, the biodiesel is sent all over the country to be used. It's a way to keep everything local and support our farmers.

Biodiesel is a really interesting type of fuel because it's made from plants and it's better for the planet. It's important to know the truth about it, like how it's different from ethanol, it won't make your car run badly, and it can actually be really efficient.

Knowing all this helps us make smarter choices about the fuel we use.