Biodiesel
A renewable diesel substitute made from vegetable oils (primarily soybean), used cooking oil, or animal fats through a chemical process called transesterification. Used in blends (B5-B20) with petroleum diesel.
Why It Matters
Biodiesel reduces lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to petroleum diesel and supports domestic agriculture. Renewable diesel (chemically identical to petroleum diesel) is a growing alternative.
Related Topics
Related Terms
Ethanol
An alcohol fuel (C2H5OH) typically produced from corn in the U.S. Blended into nearly all gasoline sold in America at 10% (E10). The U.S. produces about 16 billion gallons per year — the world's largest producer.
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
A federal program (established 2005, expanded 2007) that requires transportation fuel sold in the U.S. to contain specified volumes of renewable fuel. Mandates roughly 20 billion gallons/year of biofuel blending.