BiodieselBiodiesel is produced from renewable raw materials. In Germany, rapeseed is often used for the production of biodiesel. This has led to the use of the terms RME (rapeseed methyl ester) and or VME (vegetable methyl ester) fuel. From an ecological point of view, biodiesel represents an advantageous alternative to conventional diesel fuel because it is consumed within a closed CO2 cycle. This means that the crop absorbs the same amount of CO2 during its growth as is subsequently released when the fuel is burnt. Because biodiesel's composition differs from that of conventional diesel fuel, however, there are limitations on its use as a direct substitute for diesel. Technical factors preventing the use of 100 % biodiesel fuel with a diesel particulate filter represent a major obstacle. The blending of biodiesel with conventional diesel as required by law in the EU (referred to as B5) causes no problems. |
