Biofuels for Cars

July 5, 2011 By

Article by Guile Canencia

If you’re gonna go get yourself an alternative fuel vehicle then you better get acquainted with the types of biofuel. It is defined as any type of fuel derived from biological sources. Biofuels are used in households around the world as fuel for heating purposes and in some countries, they are used to propel vehicles. Here are the most common types:

Vegetable oil. It’s not only useful in the kitchen but on the road, too. Used vegetable oil usually undergoes treatment (which usually involves heating) before they’re ready to be used as fuel. However, there are certain engines available today that are compatible with non-processed vegetable oil.

Biodiesel. Derived from processed organic oils and fats, it is one of the most common types of biofuel and has the least emission level. In the last ten years, most diesel engines are already configured for biodiesel compatibility. Its use has also dramatically increased in the US in the last two years.

Alcohol fuel. Prime examples include ethanol, propanol and butanol. Ethanol is widely popular worldwide, especially in South America where motorists use it in place of gasoline or a mixture of both. However, ethanol can be very corrosive and is often diluted to decrease its corrosive effect.

Biogas. This is produced when biodegradable materials undergo anaerobic digestion (through the help of microorganisms). In compressed form, it can be used to fuel internal combustion engines in cars.

Syn-gas. Synthesis gas is basically combined carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It can be used easily as fuel on internal combustion engines.

New generation biofuels. These are newly discovered bio-derived types which scientists are currently exploring as feasible alternative fuels. These include non-food crops which when subjected to further processing can yield usable fuel. In some countries, algae are being carefully studied as a possible source of fuel.

Of course, the effective use of this type of alternative fuel is still being discussed today. The main issue is how to achieve sustainable production and accordingly, the manner of distribution to consumers. On the upside, if they do become the primary source of fuel for vehicles, it could cause far less damage to the atmosphere compared to fossil fuels. Will biofuels ever replace petroleum fuels? Only time will tell.

About the Author

Guile Canencia is a writer and researcher for the IBC Japan Team. He is an avid blogger and likes to play soccer on weekends. IBC Japan specializes in exporting used cars from Japan with regional distribution centers worldwide.

Question by Bryant: How much biofuel is produced here in the US and in the World as a whole?

I’ve been looking for almost 30 minutes and a can’t find anything more recent than 2007. If you happen to know a website where I can find the details I would appreciate it.
12 billion gallons in the U.S.

Anybody know where I could find a world statistic?

Best answer:

Answer by Bored Goblin
Look up Brazil and add it to the US. Nobody else is stupid enough to produce biofuel in any kind of sizeable quantity. US and Brazil are not stupid either, they just gave their farmers a bit too much political power.

Add your own answer in the comments!

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Tomorrow’s Transportation – Alternative Energy Cars

June 9, 2011 By

A quick look at some of the hot cars that are using alternative fuels to drive America’s new energy economy.

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Green Machines: Biofuels and Hybrid Cars to Clean Up the Streets in 2008

October 24, 2010 By

In January it seems there are two things on almost everybody’s minds: New Year’s resolutions and shopping. These may seem hard to reconcile, but with the growing market of ‘green’ and ethical consumer products, it may actually be possible to combine the two and put your money where your mouth is in terms of those good intentions. Some of the most exciting developments for environmentally aware consumers in 2008 will surely come from a surprising source: motoring and car companies.

If you’re tiring of your current car – but you’re not ready to go totally green and trade it in for walking, then public transport or a bike (cycling, incidentally, is a great way to shift some of the ‘festive plumpness’ that’s often another top January concern) – it’s worth looking into the environmental impacts of various vehicles’ production and manufacture. Find out about the fuel economy and emissions levels of cars before you buy, and you could be doing a big favour to the planet, human health and your bank balance too: obviously, smaller engines with greater efficiency mean you’ll spend less on fuel while producing less harmful CO2.

Climate change has been the hot topic of the year, from dinner tables to boardrooms and from muddy campsites to Westminster and Washington. Even California’s Governor, one Arnold Schwarzenegger, previously seen saving the world from killer robots and Harrier-surfing terrorists, has added his distinctive voice to the lobby for cleaner, greener transport by setting ground-breaking goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state. He plans to increase the number of hydrogen fuelling stations in California (currently 25) to 200 and create a ‘hydrogen highway’ there by 2010, making it a Mecca for owners of carbon-neutral vehicles like his very own, wildly inefficient and expensive but still hydrogen-powered, ‘green Hummer’.

Good news for green consumerism, then, which is big news on this side of the pond too – several hybrid and electric cars are already available here and there’s a fast-growing network of ‘biodiesel’ fuelling stations across the UK, with a mix of 5% biofuel to regular diesel already common thanks to the RTFO plan. The ‘half-way house’ in the shorter term is represented by small, efficient vehicles like the new diesel Mini and the funky Smart range from Mercedes-Benz, which both also happen to be pretty fantastic in terms of looks.

Another thing to bear in mind whether you’re looking for a new vehicle or just to cut the costs of your driving is car insurance – it’s vital to ensure this is up to date each year, as the law is quite clear that you can’t drive without it. The car you choose will affect your premium, as will many other factors like your driving history, whether the car is kept in a garage, and even having a tracking device installed (often included with satellite navigation systems) can mean a big saving. You can also often save by taking out car and home insurance from the same provider, or simply through a loyalty discount once you’ve found the company that’s right for you.

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Biofuels scandal + food prices. Biofuel crisis, biofuel oil, biofuel production, cars, algae, systems and basics introduction to facts about biofuels. Conference keynote speaker Patrick Dixon

October 14, 2010 By

www.globalchange.com Why biofuel industry is dead — biofuel by converting food into oil is stupid and immoral. Biodiesel, biomass, biowaste and sugar to fuel conversion into biofuels. Foor price rises. World bank report on biofuels and food prices. Ethanol and gasoline or petrol mix, European Union EU policy changes on biofuel. Biofuels policy reversal. Anti-biofuel campaigns. Biofuel blamed for food riots, hunger, food shortages, rising food prices, wheat prices, food hoarding and stockpiles. Biofuel production speculation in food futures. Biofuel links oil price to food price. Do biofuel quotas cause starvation, Africa Asia, India, China? Competition from biofuel manufafturers for food — poor people cannot eat, food prices rise, biofuel means burning wheat in car engines, driving vehicles on biofuel, adding ethanol to petrol / gasoline. Biodiesel, soybean price rises, rice price rises, food riots, biofuel destruction of forests for agriculture. Non biofuel reasons for rising food prices: drought, crop failure, hoarding, ban on food exports, stockpiling of food, speculation on food commodities markets. Ethics of biomass fuel generation and increased use of fertilisers. Net carbon footprint of biofuel production. Net biofuel consumption or saving of CO2 / energy. Global trade in biofuels, food, oil and energy. Ethical crisis in biofuels industry. Federal government policy on biofuels and national energy policy. EU fuel regulations for ethanol, biodiesel and biomass fuel …

Video Rating: 4 / 5

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What manufactured cars run off of biodiesel or ethanol?

August 18, 2010 By
alternative fuel34 What manufactured cars run off of biodiesel or ethanol?


I am looking to buy a car that runs off of biodiesel and ethanol, but I’m having problems finding what cars are out there. I want them made this year and not personally converted, manufactured that way. Can anyone give me a list of what manufactured cars run off of one or the other alternative fuel listed?
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Instead of being a slave to gas prices. why not convert the kid of fuel your car uses?

October 12, 2008 By


I saw a video about how every-day people are converting their cars to use alternative fuels.. there is a class at Santa Rose Jr College

It seems logical to me that if alot of people would convert the car they already have to an alternative fuel (of thier own choosing) then there would be >1< a substantial savings in fuels economy (some of these cars are getting 90 miles to the gallon of the fuel being used) >2< a long-term savings in fuel cost to the car-owner who made the switch >3< a serious depletion in the demand on fossil fuels >4< a rapid reduction in emissions

So.. why aren't there more classes to teach people how to make these changes to their own cars?... and is there a book or something for those that aren't able to attend that class (as in don't live anywhere near that area)

Read More: https://autobahn.santarosa.edu/scripts/SRJC.exe/Execute?Application=Autobahn_kiosk&Program=REPORT-AB115-REPORT&P-COURSE-NAME=AUTO190&P-TERM=&P-DSI-FLAG=N&P-REG-AVAIL=N
also... wouldn't this reduce our dependance & put us in better control of prices to commute?
also http://climate.weather.com/video/
go to Videos.. then to Solutions then to School for Alternative Fuels... you will be AMAZED!!

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What factors might detract from creating cars with higher fuel efficiency or cars that use alternative energy?

October 1, 2008 By


What factors might detract from creating cars with higher fuel efficiency or cars that use alternative energy sources?

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What percent of cars in the world use alternative fuel sources?

September 22, 2008 By


I’m doing an assembly on global warming and oil peaking at my high school, and I can’t find this particular statistic. Anyone know?

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