Current volumes consumed in Europe are approximately 345 million GPY (U.S. Gallons Per Year) or 1.2 million MTPY (Metric Tons Per Year). The diesel demand in the European Union (EU-25) is estimated to be 200,000,000 tonnes in 2010. The EU biofuels directive is for Europe to have 5.75% biofuels in their transportation fuels by 2010. This will result in a biodiesel demand of 11,500,000 tonnes.
In Germany and Austria, nearly 1,700 service stations now sell biodiesel. Many European car manufacturers, including Mercedes Benz and VW, have approved biodiesel use for their engines. Two German bus companies run their entire fleets on biodiesel, and most major bus networks in France run on biodiesel blends.
In the U.S., hundreds of major fleets use biodiesel, including every branch of the US military, NASA, numerous state departments of transportation, and nearly 125 school districts.
The U.S. Department of Energy has forecasted that the market might reach as much as 1.2 billion gallons per year in the next decade or two. This would be a forty-fold increase that would propel the fuel from a specialty product into a significant part of the energy market. Many new plants are under construction or on the drawing boards.
In the U.S., a blend of 20% biodiesel with 80% petrodiesel (referred to as B20) is quite widely used, and 15 states have passed legislation favorable to biodiesel. Biodiesel is on sale at more than 450 retail filling stations and is used by over 500 major fleets. In North Dakota and Minnesota, all diesel fuel is required to include 2% biodiesel. In Washington State, the Intercity Transit Authority uses a B20 biodiesel blend in its entire fleet and is moving to B40. Almost all of the biodiesel that is used in Europe and the US comes from agricultural crops grown specifically for this purpose.
In Canada, biodiesel remains in the early stages of market development. Several bus companies are doing trials with imported biodiesel, and following trials, all 137 transit buses in Brampton, Ontario, are now using a B20 biodiesel blend. Canada’s first and only biodiesel service station was opened by Topia Energy Inc. in Toronto on March 2nd, 2004. Because of its practicality and its many environmental benefits, the federal government has established a target production rate of 500 million litres a year by 2010, under Canada’s Climate Change Action Plan.
By being used as either a substitute for conventional diesel or as an additive, biodiesel reduces the emissions of air toxins, CO2, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and black smoke from vehicles.
In Germany and Austria, nearly 1,700 service stations now sell biodiesel. Many European car manufacturers, including Mercedes Benz and VW, have approved biodiesel use for their engines. Two German bus companies run their entire fleets on biodiesel, and most major bus networks in France run on biodiesel blends.
In the U.S., hundreds of major fleets use biodiesel, including every branch of the US military, NASA, numerous state departments of transportation, and nearly 125 school districts.
The U.S. Department of Energy has forecasted that the market might reach as much as 1.2 billion gallons per year in the next decade or two. This would be a forty-fold increase that would propel the fuel from a specialty product into a significant part of the energy market. Many new plants are under construction or on the drawing boards.
In the U.S., a blend of 20% biodiesel with 80% petrodiesel (referred to as B20) is quite widely used, and 15 states have passed legislation favorable to biodiesel. Biodiesel is on sale at more than 450 retail filling stations and is used by over 500 major fleets. In North Dakota and Minnesota, all diesel fuel is required to include 2% biodiesel. In Washington State, the Intercity Transit Authority uses a B20 biodiesel blend in its entire fleet and is moving to B40. Almost all of the biodiesel that is used in Europe and the US comes from agricultural crops grown specifically for this purpose.
In Canada, biodiesel remains in the early stages of market development. Several bus companies are doing trials with imported biodiesel, and following trials, all 137 transit buses in Brampton, Ontario, are now using a B20 biodiesel blend. Canada’s first and only biodiesel service station was opened by Topia Energy Inc. in Toronto on March 2nd, 2004. Because of its practicality and its many environmental benefits, the federal government has established a target production rate of 500 million litres a year by 2010, under Canada’s Climate Change Action Plan.
By being used as either a substitute for conventional diesel or as an additive, biodiesel reduces the emissions of air toxins, CO2, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and black smoke from vehicles.