Auto Manufacturers Present Latest Biodiesel-Fueled Products
DaimlerChrysler Announces Biodiesel Incentive Buying Program at National Biodiesel Conference

SAN ANTONIO– He played J.R. Ewing, the famous oil baron on the television series Dallas, but in real life, actor Larry Hagman is a renewable energy proponent. Hagman kicked off the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo Ride-and-Drive on Monday driving a 2007 VW Touareg TDI. Like most conference attendees, Hagman was excited to test drive the latest vehicles from Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors running on biodiesel blends.

“I think biodiesel is the future of the U.S.,” said Hagman. “Biodiesel, ethanol, wind power, solar power – we’ve got to go to these alternative ways of making energy. We also have to conserve more of the energy we use.”

According to a new U.S. consumer survey, most Americans agree with him. In an online survey of 1,099 adults conducted in January by Moore Information, Inc., 61 percent of consumers would consider purchasing a diesel vehicle, because of the benefits of biodiesel. These benefits identified by survey respondents include reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, protecting human health, and environmental and economic benefits.

Along with the new Touareg, conference attendees had an opportunity to drive the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, 2007 Dodge Ram 2500, 2007 Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and 2007 Chevy Express Cargo Van.

At the conference on Monday, Feb. 5, General Motors Alternative Fuels Marketing Manager Mike McGarry announced that GM is offering a Special Equipment Option on the 6.6L Duramax for B20 capability. The Special Equipment Option is available to fleets on the GMC Savanna, Chevy Express Commercial Cutaway Van, Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty, and GM Sierra Heavy Duty One Ton. Production on the Special Equipment Option is limited to 200 vehicles per model line in 2007. McGarry also stated that GM is working to expand B20 capability in 2008.

All of the manufacturer-supplied vehicles in the conference ride-and-drive were fueled with B5 – a blend of 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel – except the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram, which were fueled by B20. Biodiesel for the ride-and-drive was supplied by Organic Fuels Ltd. of Gelena Park, Texas. Organic Fuels is accredited under BQ-9000, an industry quality control program.

In a speech at the conference on Monday, Deb Morrissett, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for the Chrysler Group, encouraged the biodiesel industry to continue the development of a national standard for B20. This comes as automobile manufacturers focus more resources on producing diesel vehicles capable of running on the fuel.

“To speed the adoption of biodiesel, and to help harness and direct the diverse research and investment efforts going into its development, we need to expedite setting a national fuel specification for B20, just as we have for other fuels,” said Morrissett. “I’m looking forward to the time when anyone can fuel up with B20.”

Morrissett also announced special pricing on biodiesel-blend capable products available to National Biodiesel Board (NBB) members and their employees.

DaimlerChrysler uses B5 as the factory fill for the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD and Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. Both vehicles are approved for B5. The 2007 Dodge Ram is also approved for B20 for commercial, government and military fleets which use military specification biodiesel fuel.

Volkswagen approves the use of B5 and is testing B20 in several fleet vehicles. Volkswagen was a major sponsor of the National Biodiesel Conference and was the presenting sponsor of the Merle Haggard concert at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio on Monday.

Most auto and engine manufacturers view the adoption of an ASTM International blended fuel specification as a key component for full, universal acceptance of B20. A significant roadblock to the national B20 standard was removed when ASTM approved a specification for oxidation stability for B100 using the induction period test method EN 14112 (commonly referred to as Rancimat). This change was incorporated into the ASTM specification for B100, ASTM D-6751, was approved Dec. 1, 2006 and published by ASTM in January.

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