Making the Switch

Forget what you think you know about biodiesel. Getting started with the fuel is easy and comes at little or no cost. 

 Are you interested in biodiesel but concerned about the upfront investment? We have good news. If you’re a fleet, your diesel vehicles can start running on biodiesel blends right away. If you have a fueling site, biodiesel blends can likely be incorporated into your existing infrastructure with no modifications. 

Here’s what you need to know about adding biodiesel to your operations. 

Drop-in Fuel 

Biodiesel is a drop-in solution that works in petroleum diesel equipment.

Vehicles

No modifications are needed. Just fuel up your diesel vehicles with biodiesel blends and hit the road. 

All major OEMs support biodiesel blends up to B5, meaning the fuel is 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel. Nearly 90 percent of medium- and heavy-duty truck OEMs support B20. 

Infrastructure

Use your existing storage tanks and other infrastructure after you switch to biodiesel blends. For retailers, the federal government says dispensers containing B5 and lower do not need to be labeled, although you should check local regulations. 

Some retailers and fleets choose to blend the fuel themselves. This may require a dedicated storage tank for the B100 and a blending system, but the return on investment is often achieved within months. 

Nationwide Supply 

Biodiesel is a mature industry, and domestic producers can get you product no matter where you are. REG stands out for its:

  • Ability to supply blended fuel, neat biodiesel, renewable diesel and ULSD. 
  • Distribution via truck, rail, ship and barge. 
  • Extensive network of terminals, which are often co-located with petroleum diesel terminals. 
  • Customer support that extends beyond a knowledgeable sales team and includes our logistics and supply chain management staff and our technical team. 

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In Their Own Words 

Let’s go beyond OEM acceptance, ASTM specs and supply logistics. What do the people who know diesel equipment best — diesel technicians — have to say? 

“If two trucks were side by side and one ran biodiesel and one didn’t, you would not be able to tell the difference,” a lead technician at a large nationwide trucking fleet. 

When his company made the switch to biodiesel blends up to B20, he expected more fuel system failures and increased filter change intervals. The reality is they’ve had fewer problems with fuel injectors and after-treatment systems with biodiesel. 

In Rochester, Minnesota, city buses have been running on biodiesel blends for nearly 20 years. Maintenance Manager Roger Ritchie has been there the entire time. 

“I’m 100 percent on board with biodiesel,” he says. “Our equipment has lasted and done a really good job.” 

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QUALITY FUEL 

Here are some important things to know about biodiesel specifications:

  • Biodiesel falls under ASTM D6751. 
  • ASTM considers all biodiesel blends up to B5 the same as straight petroleum diesel. 
  • The voluntary BQ-9000® program combines ASTM specs with additional quality assurance steps on biodiesel production, distribution and storage. 

 

 

 

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