Objectives
 Explain how to implement green
fleets
 Learn about incentives for
converting to biodiesel fleets
 Learn about the availability and
cost of biodiesel fuel
 Identify the advantages of using
biodiesel
 Understand how to safely handle
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Greening of Fleets
 Why use green fleets?
 Reduce operating costs
 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
 Improve corporate image
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 How to Implement Green Fleets
 Get buy-in
 Create long-term objectives
 Avoid setting reduction goals in
absolute numbers
 Anticipate obstacles
 Move slowly
 Improve vehicle use
 Track and report progress
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Biodiesel Fleets
 Conventional diesel = refined
petroleum
 Emissions/pollution concerns
 Dependence on foreign petroleum
supplies
 Biodiesel = fuel made from natural
products
 Domestically produced
 Similar to conventional diesel
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Biodiesel Can Be Made From:
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Vegetable oil
Soybean oil
Canola oil
Rapeseed oil
Palm oil
 Sunflower oil
 Peanut oil
 Recycled
cooking oil
 Beef tallow
 Algae*
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Did You Know?
Hundreds of U.S. fleets,
representing more than 25,000
vehicles from commercial,
government, utility, and transit
use, currently run on biodiesel.
Source: Biodiesel.org.
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Biodiesel Fleets
 B20 = most common blend
 B5 and B2 also popular
 Heavy-duty vehicles:
 Buses
 Farm equipment
 Military vehicles
Figure 1: Biodiesel-fueled bucket truck. Source:
AFDC.
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 Biodiesel benefits:
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Betterment of health and environment
Efficiency of our economy
Sustained strategic energy security
Reduced dependence on foreign oil
 Pure biodiesel is:
 Nontoxic
 Biodegradable
 Sulfur-free
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Incentives for Using Biodiesel
Fleets
inIncentives:
 Partnership initiatives and pooled
resources
 Financial subsidiaries
 Informational tools
 Initial cost vs. federal and state
incentives
 American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act
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 Tax Incentives
 Internal Revenue Service tax credit
 $1.00/gallon for agri-based biodiesel
 $0.50/gallon for recycled cooking oil
biodiesel
 Tax credits/rebates vary by state
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 Federal Grant Funding
 Federal government = largest grant
provider
 U.S. Department of Energy
 U.S. Department of Transportation
 Environmental Protection Agency
 U.S. Department of Agriculture
 Different Opportunities from each
agency
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 State Grant Funding
 State Energy Office
 National Association of State Energy
Officials directory
 Alternative Fuels Data Center map
 Individualized fleet manager
resources
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 Incentives for Biodiesel
Production
 U.S. Department of Agriculture
 Farm Service Agency
 Biomass Crop Assistance Program:
 Payment matching for delivery of material
to processing
 Contracts with the Commodity Credit
Corporation
 Feedstock Flexibility Program for
Bioenergy Producers
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Federal incentives are available for
producers of bioenergy
feedstock.
To learn more, visit:
www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws
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Biodiesel Availability and Cost
 Biodiesel is global
 European Union produces large
amounts of biodiesel
 U.S. = more than 2,800 retailers
 15 manufacturers, more than 17
models
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Figure 2: Biodiesel fueling stations by state. Source: AFDC.
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 Slightly higher price
 20% of biodiesel production
capacity vs. 90% conventional
diesel production capacity
 Reduced price gap
Figure 3: Diesel and biodiesel cost comparison. Source: AFDC.
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 Biodiesel price depends upon:
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Cost-blend price availability
Conventional diesel price
Feedstock prices
Weather conditions
Processing
Distribution
Refining capacity
Refining location
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Biodiesel Advantages
 Domestic production – renewable
resources
 Compatible with most diesel engines
 Fewer particulate matter/greenhouse gas
emissions
 No new fueling infrastructure needed
 Creation of jobs
 Rural development
 Biodegradable
 Nontoxic
 Safe to handle
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 Things to Consider
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Blends above B5 – warranties
Lower fuel economy/power
More expensive
Higher nitrogen oxide emissions
B100 not suitable in low temperatures
B100 vs. engine durability
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Biodiesel Performance and
Safety
Similarity to ultralow-sulfur diesel:
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Fuel consumption
Horsepower
Torque
Hauling capabilities
 Little/no engine and infrastructure
modifications
 Increased lubricity
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 Performance
 Fuel filter issues
 Cold weather:
 Thickening
 Cloud point
 Pour point
 Different blends
 Cold flow preparation
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Biodiesel Performance Summary
• Similar horsepower to diesel
• Natural lubricant
• Cleans engines
• Faster ignition
• Poor cold flow properties
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 Safety
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Less combustible
More biodegradable
Higher flashpoint
Diamond placards
Figure 4: NFPA 704 hazard placard for B100 biodiesel.
Source: NFPA.
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 Safety
 Possible combustion
 Biodiesel-soaked items
 Follow specific handling steps
Figure 5: Hazardous material UN 1993 placard for
diesel. Source: USDOT, PHMSA.
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Biodiesel Safety Summary
• Environmentally safe
• Nontoxic and biodegradable
• Flashpoint above conventional
diesel
• NFPA rated minimal fire hazard
• Spontaneous combustion risk
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Test Your Knowledge
1. True or False: The cost of biodiesel
depends on the biodiesel blend. (Ex: B20
costs less than B100)
2. Biodiesel is produced from feedstocks such
as soy bean oil and vegetable oil. New
research also suggests that ____________
can be made into biodiesel.
3. True or False: The biggest obstacle for
widespread biodiesel use in fleets, and
other alternative fuels, is lack of
infrastructure.
4. List one of the three reasons mentioned in
the text as to why the U.S. should use
biodiesel.
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