As gas prices rise, so does the interest in biodiesel. But does it make sense?
After spending a few days researching biodiesel, I'm still undecided. Which is better--biodiesel or a hybrid? Or just a regular car with decent gas mileage? I understand the appeal of biodiesel--a home-grown fuel straight from the farm. But should I be concerned that VW only backs its warranty if you use up to 5% biodiesel? By comparison, how reliable will the hybrids be in the long run? Granted, the batteries have an eight-year warranty, but has anyone had problems? Is a diesel engine more likely to last?
If you didn't see it, you can click the entry below for streaming video from this week's show.
Nevermind what our fuel source ought to
be, why not self sustaining communities and
fewer cars?
Jon Waite said:
Market forces being what they are, interesting that vegetable oil is currently around $70 a barrel. Not sure how that figures with refining and being cost-effective. Maybe the answer isn't in switching fuels, although renewable fuel sources are preferable. The real key is conservation in any case. As for the Puget Sound region, we've failed for years to provide significant answers for mass-transit which is sorely needed. In the meantime, promoting Eastern Washington farmers to "Sultan" status will certainly have its ramifications ...
Ralph Domenowske said:
20 years ago (during the last gas crunch) I bought my first compact Datsun diesel pick up and tiny Isuzu diesel car. Since then I have also owned (and wore out ) two other small diesel pickups. Usually the body and electrical systems died long before the engine tired. MY wifes little Isuzu diesel is still running like the proverbial energizer bunny but now using 99% Biodiesel . Based on conservative estimates of actual miles driven in the last twenty years we have saved 12,000 gallons of fuel or one full railroad car load over what we would have used in a comparable size gas powered car. Three comments I have about Biodiesel are: (a) I prefer the smell of french fries over diesel and (b) if you drive up into the Mountains in winter be sure to not use more than 20 percent vegetable oil or it can solidify.
Comparing diesel to hybrids is like comparing apples to oranges. Hybrids are more efficient in stop and go city driving
and diesels are more efficient on the road. From the standpoint of resources needed to build the hybrids electrical system it may be that they place a greater burden on the manufacturing and recycling resources of a country.
Ralph Domenowske said:
oops the third item omitted above. ----(c) when you get between 40 and 50 miles per gallon (in my Pasat and Isuzu) the cost of 3.09 for biodiesel is not a budget breaker!
ps. the Jon is absolutely correct about one thing, when oil gets much above 70 dollars a barrel, biodiesel is comparable in cost at the pump.
Rob said:
There are no simple answers to our transportation problems, that's for sure. When we discuss vehicles and fuels we're looking at mass transit, roads, building and community challenges...
If we are talking about applied change in personal vehicle choice hybrid vs. a diesel running biodiesel... well, another can of worms. How do you measure domestic fuel vs imported? Lifecycle green house gasses vs tailpipe emissions? B100 biodiesel wins hands down on all accounts- yet the vehicle OEMs threaten warranty issues. What to do? The frustrated are just doing it. Change happens when change happens, I'm glad to see many Seattle citizens making change with biodiesel. The politics, car manufacturers, and marjet will follow.
Kathy said:
I agree with Mike [above] FEWER CARS. I have a Honda and I get good gas mileage but gas is still to high and when I buy a new car in 2 years I am really going to shop around and get the best I can get where its biodiesel, electric or whatever.
After spending a few days researching biodiesel, I'm still undecided. Which is better--biodiesel or a hybrid? Or just a regular car with decent gas mileage? I understand the appeal of biodiesel--a home-grown fuel straight from the farm. But should I be concerned that VW only backs its warranty if you use up to 5% biodiesel? By comparison, how reliable will the hybrids be in the long run? Granted, the batteries have an eight-year warranty, but has anyone had problems? Is a diesel engine more likely to last?
KING 5 News Up Front with Robert Mak
Nevermind what our fuel source ought to
be, why not self sustaining communities and
fewer cars?
Market forces being what they are, interesting that vegetable oil is currently around $70 a barrel. Not sure how that figures with refining and being cost-effective. Maybe the answer isn't in switching fuels, although renewable fuel sources are preferable. The real key is conservation in any case. As for the Puget Sound region, we've failed for years to provide significant answers for mass-transit which is sorely needed. In the meantime, promoting Eastern Washington farmers to "Sultan" status will certainly have its ramifications ...
20 years ago (during the last gas crunch) I bought my first compact Datsun diesel pick up and tiny Isuzu diesel car. Since then I have also owned (and wore out ) two other small diesel pickups. Usually the body and electrical systems died long before the engine tired. MY wifes little Isuzu diesel is still running like the proverbial energizer bunny but now using 99% Biodiesel . Based on conservative estimates of actual miles driven in the last twenty years we have saved 12,000 gallons of fuel or one full railroad car load over what we would have used in a comparable size gas powered car. Three comments I have about Biodiesel are: (a) I prefer the smell of french fries over diesel and (b) if you drive up into the Mountains in winter be sure to not use more than 20 percent vegetable oil or it can solidify.
Comparing diesel to hybrids is like comparing apples to oranges. Hybrids are more efficient in stop and go city driving
and diesels are more efficient on the road. From the standpoint of resources needed to build the hybrids electrical system it may be that they place a greater burden on the manufacturing and recycling resources of a country.
oops the third item omitted above. ----(c) when you get between 40 and 50 miles per gallon (in my Pasat and Isuzu) the cost of 3.09 for biodiesel is not a budget breaker!
ps. the Jon is absolutely correct about one thing, when oil gets much above 70 dollars a barrel, biodiesel is comparable in cost at the pump.
There are no simple answers to our transportation problems, that's for sure. When we discuss vehicles and fuels we're looking at mass transit, roads, building and community challenges...
If we are talking about applied change in personal vehicle choice hybrid vs. a diesel running biodiesel... well, another can of worms. How do you measure domestic fuel vs imported? Lifecycle green house gasses vs tailpipe emissions? B100 biodiesel wins hands down on all accounts- yet the vehicle OEMs threaten warranty issues. What to do? The frustrated are just doing it. Change happens when change happens, I'm glad to see many Seattle citizens making change with biodiesel. The politics, car manufacturers, and marjet will follow.
I agree with Mike [above] FEWER CARS. I have a Honda and I get good gas mileage but gas is still to high and when I buy a new car in 2 years I am really going to shop around and get the best I can get where its biodiesel, electric or whatever.
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