Hello and welcome to the May 2005 edition of the MotorMouth Newsletter. In response to user requests, this month’s newsletter is focusing on biodiesel.

What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is recognised by Federal and State Governments and Industry as a valid alternative fuel and is produced from biological organisms, such as vegetable oils and animal fats.

Technically, biodiesel is the name given to fuels containing methyl or ethyl esters. They are made from tri-glyceride oils found in plant oils, such as canola, mustard, sunflower, cottonseed, safflower, soy, and corn. Used cooking oils, fats and tallows can also be used.

Using vegetable oil as a fuel is not new. It dates back to 1895, when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine. Diesel demonstrated his engine at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 using peanut oil as fuel. To learn more about Dr. Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel fuelled internal combustion engine, click here.

What is the difference between Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blend?
Biodiesel is the pure 100% Biodiesel Fuel. It is referred to as B100 or “neat”. Biodiesel Blend is pure Biodiesel blended with petrol diesel. Biodiesel blends are referred to as Bxx. The xx indicates the amount of Biodiesel the blend. For example a B20 blend is 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petrol diesel.

What are the benefits of using Biodiesel?

• Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that can be used directly in any existing, unmodified diesel engine. Because it has similar properties to petroleum diesel fuel, biodiesel can be blended in any ratio with petroleum diesel fuel.
• Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable. Biodiesel is safe to handle and transport because it is as biodegradable as sugar, 10 times less toxic than table salt, and has a high flashpoint of about 150°C compared to petroleum diesel fuel, which has a flash point of about 62°C.
• Biodiesel is better for the environment. Over the life cycle, from growing oilseeds or rendering animal waste to its manufacture and use, pure biodiesel produces 64 to 92 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared with petroleum diesel.
• Biodiesel exhaust emissions are substantially cleaner than those from diesel exhaust, with dramatic reductions in carbon monoxide, particulates (black smoke) and known carcinogenic agents.
• Biodiesel is produced from local, renewable resources. Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced, renewable oilseed crops such as soybeans, canola, and cottonseed and mustard seed.
• The use of biodiesel reduces the reliance on finite local and imported oil supplies.
• The production of biodiesel can generate employment and add to economic diversification.
• Engines running on biodiesel run normally and have similar fuel mileage to engines running on diesel fuel. Auto ignition, fuel consumption, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected by biodiesel.
• The price per litre of biodiesel is similar to that of petroleum diesel.

What should motorists be aware of if considering using Biodiesel?

• There are likely to be vehicle warranty implications regarding the use of biodiesel. MotorMouth strongly recommends motorists contact their vehicle manufacturer to clarify their position before considering the use of biodiesel.
• Motorists should ensure that the biodiesel they intend to use meets the standards set out in the Fuel Quality Standards Act and that their fuel supplier will guarantee that.
• The main effect of using biodiesel in a vehicle is super-lubrication, which is especially important with the forthcoming mandate for Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, which has traditionally proven to have inferior lubricative properties.
• Motorists need to be aware of biodiesel’s freezing properties and may need to take precautions. In very cold conditions, biodiesel does gel faster than petroleum diesel.
• Biodiesel is a good solvent so it is recommended to wipe any biodiesel or biodiesel blend spills from painted surfaces immediately. Biodiesel also has the benefit of acting like a solvent to clean the engine. If the engine has been previously running on conventional diesel this can result in an initial need to change fuel filters until sludge left by petroleum fuel is purged.
• Biodiesel soaked rags should be stored in a safety can or dried individually to avoid the potential for spontaneous combustion.
• Industry experts recommend that biodiesel be used within one year to ensure that the quality of the fuel is maintained.

What is the fuel standard for Biodiesel?
The Department of the Environment and Heritage developed an Australian fuel standard for biodiesel as part of its responsibilities under the Fuel Quality Standards Act. The Fuel Standard (Biodiesel) Determination 2003 sets out the physical and chemical parameters of the Biodiesel standard. It also sets out the associated test methods that the Government will use to determine compliance.

Who is using biodiesel?
Biodiesel has been used extensively in Europe and USA for over a decade. More than 150 million litres of biodiesel were produced and used in the USA in 2004. The largest user of biodiesel in the world is Germany, with more than one billion litres annual production capacity. In France, up to 5% of biodiesel is blended with all low sulphur diesel to be sold in that country.

According to Australian Farmers Fuel (SAFF), a local biodiesel producer and marketer, their biodiesel customers include drivers of 4WD’s, diesel sedans, trucks and buses. They also sell large volumes of biodiesel and biodiesel blends to farmers, train operators, bus companies and providers, mining companies, power stations, fishing boats and other industry groups.

At the moment, the State Government of South Australia is running Adelaide’s metropolitan trains and diesel buses with a B5 biodiesel blend (5% biodiesel). Adelaide City Council and Newcastle City Council are using a B20 blend (20% biodiesel), and the Noosa Council in Queensland are also trialing a B20 blend in two garbage trucks for a period of nine months.

Where can motorists buy biodiesel?
Biodiesel and biodiesel blend are only available for sale in NSW and SA at the moment. For a full listing of service stations selling biodiesel, visit Grown Fuel and go to “Buy Biodiesel”.

The production and demand for biodiesel appears to be increasing. There are large-scale biodiesel plants in operation in Rutherford, NSW and Green Fields, SA. Plans are also in place for the construction of additional biodiesel plants in the NT, Victoria, WA, NSW, Qld and SA.

Click here for other helpful links regarding biodiesel.

Until next month, happy savings!

Bernadette Murray
Marketing Manager - MotorMouth
bmurraymotormouth.com.au 

This month's winner is Marcia from Sandgate in QLD Marcia's entry - Funny Fuel "My son was always watching his dad very carefully until one day he decided to help dad with the car. Dad was going to the BP to get fuel but son raced out to the shed and filled the car up for him. He returned saying that the car was already to go. But when dad went out son had the hose in the fuel tank of the car and water overflowing." Congratulations Marcia! Your prize will be sent out to you shortly.

EMAIL IN AND WIN!

Do you have an opinion or comment about a motoring or fuel related issue or story you’d like to share with your MotorMouth users from around the country? If so, send through your contribution in 200 words or less and you could win a prize! Your entry can be positive or negative (but of course not rude). The person whose comment is deemed most interesting each month will be awarded a book (or series of books) to the value of $50 from QBD The Bookshop.

All valid entries will be posted on the Past Entries section of the website so everyone can see what’s on the minds of Australian motorists. So what are you waiting for? Send through your contribution. Remember to add your name, address and phone number to your entry so we can notify you if you are chosen as our winner and send you your prize. Please note, only users who are signed up to receive the MotorMouth Newsletter can win the competition.

Damien Reid, our guest editor, with more fascinating news on the Fuel and Auto front.
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For Australian motorists in the market for European luxury cars, there's been a big shift in attitude in recent years with more diesels creeping on to showroom floors thanks to new ultra low sulphur diesel - the equivalent to premium unleaded petrol - coming on line.
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New Car Reviews proudly supplied by News Limited.
Slick Sport puts Clio in the race
"You don't fit in that, do you?" was a question I heard more than a few times, but even if it was a tight squeeze, the Clio Sport was worth the entangled entry. At more than 190cm tall and not of slender build, the Renault Clio is built for more conventionally sized occupants than me, but it has abilities that are anything but conventional.
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Sportage: the working-class hero
At the working-class end of the SUV market, where price and value for money are more important than the brand badge, Kia is carving a sales niche. After an absence of almost two years, the Korean car maker has taken the wraps off an all-new compact Sportage four-wheel-drive with a drive-away price of $31,900.
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The average, lowest and the highest Unleaded prices for last month in each city were:

The price leading service stations for Unleaded in each city last month were:

Brisbane	Service Station Caltex/Woolworths Address Deception Bay Road Suburb Deception Bay Average Price for month 97.1
Sydney	Service Station Coles Express Address corner Hume Highway and Strickland Street Suburb Bass Hill Average Price for month 106.3
Melbourne	Service Station Liberty Address High Street Suburb Preston Average Price for month 106.2
Adelaide	Service Station OG Speed Shop Address corner O.G. Road and Wilpena Avenue Suburb Klemzig Average Price for month 107.6
Perth	Service Station Coles Express Address corner Walcott Street and Fitzgerald Street Suburb Mt Lawley Average Price for month 104.7

The average, lowest and the highest Diesel prices for last month in each city were:

The price leading service stations for Deisel in each city last month were:

Brisbane	Service Station Ampol Address Middle Road Suburb Hillcrest Average Price for month 108.2
Sydney	Service Station Fuel Point Address corner Hume Highway and Miller Road Suburb Bass Hill Average Price for month 114.8
Melbourne	Service Station Caltex Address Mount Dandenong Road Suburb Ringwood East Average Price for month 113.8
Adelaide	Service Station Southern Cross Address corner O.G. Road and Yaralin Avenue Suburb Klemzig Average Price for month 116.3
Perth	Service Station Coles Express Address Great Northern Highway Suburb Upper Swan Average Price for month 116.5

MotorMouth is committed to helping Australian motorists get a better deal on fuel by providing them with free and easily accessible information on fuel prices.

Reproduction of the whole or part of this email constitutes an infringement of copyright. All information published in this email is intended to be used for your personal use only and can not be used for commercial use without the prior written consent of MotorMouth Pty Ltd. For data sales enquiries please contact salesmotormouth.com.au