What cars can use biodiesel?
Interest in biodiesel has greatly increased over the past few years due to the increase in popularity of diesel cars, the increase in price of conventional fuels and the realisation that low percentage biodiesel blends (B5) can be used in place of mineral diesel without any engine modification in many diesel engines (a ‘B5’ blend is 5% biodiesel mixed with 95% mineral diesel). Indeed, with the correct fuel specification, many diesel engines run more smoothly on biodiesel, which have good lubricating properties. Some (though certainly not all) diesel cars will also run on straight vegetable oils (SVOs) or pure plant oils (PPOs). However, several practical issues concerning the use of pure, or high percentage biodiesel blends have emerged from real-world use. First, ester-based biodiesel degrades rubber products. Engine parts and equipment with rubber seals and piping are usually therefore replaced with non-rubber alternatives. Second, as biodiesel is more viscous than mineral diesel, bi
