Originally Posted by zimbop

I think one of the biggest roadblocks to widespread use of biodiesel is in the way it is reported on in the media (aside from the severe lack of reporting that is.)

Every story I have seen or read about biodiesel is one of those cute "interest" stories at the end of the news where they show the veggie-van guys filling up with fry oil and talk about how they converted their car to run on McDonalds waste. Well, you don't have to be a hippie freak to use biodiesel, and you don't have to convert your car! They always focus on that novelty story while completely ignoring the story about commercially produced biodiesel fuel which requires no vehicle conversion. They introduce people to the biodiesel concept by basically telling them they can't use it. If instead they talked about how commercial biodiesel is an accessible fuel that can be used straight up in any modern diesel engine, then people might believe it's worth considering. But as long as they sell it as a freak show story it will never get a foothold in the mainstream schema.

The only thing stopping me from using it is that the only supplier within 50 miles of me is a commercial fuel outfit that's only open 9-5 M-F and is located in an industrial part of town I never go to (and can't during bankers hours anyway because I'm working.) When I lived in Minnesota, the farmer coop gas stations sold it and I bought it all the time. I have considered getting my own tank and having it filled by truck but that's a bit impractical in the city. If I had a TDI I would do it in a heartbeat so both my truck and car could fuel from it.

I think its a great idea but we're going to have to work on the accessibility issue and the PR problem. People just don't know about it or they think it requires special vehicles or conversions. We have to combat this ignorance and misinformation before it will become a serious possibility.