Enginemakers greenlight B20 biodiesel test standard
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- They're coming around. While all heavy-duty engine makers currently approve a five percent blend (B5) of bio- and petro-diesel in their products, the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has just approved a test spec for a 20 percent blend (B20). This paves the way for testing to begin with fuel having consistent properties and quality, which will hasten the approval of a B20 blend. Biodiesel is a diesel fuel substitute made from soybean oil and other natural fats and vegetable oils, and works in any diesel vehicle. It can be blended with petroleum diesel at any level. "By approving these specifications, EMA is acknowledging the growing demand and use of B20 by customers all over the country," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. "While many original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, have taken positive steps toward B20 approval, EMA’s actions are a huge step toward national biodiesel blend fuel standards that will enhance fuel quality measures and increase acceptance of B20." Current EMA specifications require that the pure biodiesel (B100) meets the ASTM International standard D6751 or the European EN14214 standard prior to blending, but until now, there has been no standard for blended fuel. Still, EMA stresses that the recently approved testing specification is not an approved national standard. "EMA’s testing specification for B20 and lower blends is not meant to replace the blended fuel standards currently making their way through ASTM," said Steve Howell, NBB technical director and chair of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force. Earlier this year, DaimlerChrysler announced approval of the use of B20 in its Dodge Ram pickup trucks for government, military and commercial fleet customers, effective with the 2007 Model Year. Various jurisdictions in Canada are considering a biodiesel mandate of some sort for trucks. Ontario, for example, was seriously considering a B2 or B5 standard last year. While the Canadian Trucking Alliance isn't categorically rejecting such proposals, it stresses that governments thinking of legislating the boutique fuel get their facts straight first. Besides, says CTA, the trucking industry is already making dramatic investments in mandated '07 engine technology that virtually eliminates smog-causing emissions from truck engines and fuels. The group says biodiesel likely wouldn't provide much more environmental benefits that the current regulatory path doesn't already achieve.