Auto show's Biodiesel Green Room revs up Minnesota-made fuel

Photo: American Lung Ass'n in Minn.

March 7, 2013

BY The American Lung Association in Minnesota

While it has no oil wells, Minnesota is a motor-fuel-producing state. Minnesota has an annual production capacity of 63 million gallons of biodiesel, made primarily from the oil found in locally grown soybeans as well as other plant-based and recycled cooking oils. It's a homegrown fuel and star of the show at the Biodiesel Green Room exhibit at the 40th annual Twin Cities Auto Show running March 9-17 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

In addition to an assortment of other green vehicles, the Biodiesel Green Room will showcase clean diesel passenger vehicles capable of running on biodiesel blends. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about biodiesel and diesel vehicles.

“I use biodiesel in my truck, and it works great,” stated Bill Zurn, farmer and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) domestic marketing committee chair. “What most people don’t realize is biodiesel blends can be used in all existing diesel engines. We can all benefit from biodiesel in Minnesota, and the auto show provides the perfect opportunity to help communicate that.”

Advertisement

The main show floor will also feature a variety of biodiesel-ready vehicles including the Minnesota debut of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, a new small sedan that is expected to get 42 miles per gallon (highway) and is approved for biodiesel blends up to 20 percent (B20). 

“Minnesota was the first state in the nation to require biodiesel blends in all diesel sold, so this is a perfect state to showcase the new, cleaner diesel vehicles that include advanced pollution control systems,” said Kelly Marczak, environmental programs director for the American Lung Association in Minnesota. “Vehicle exhaust is the single largest source of air pollution in our state, so it is important to educate people on the advantages of renewable fuels and vehicle technologies that reduce emissions.”

Advertisement

“Biodiesel is one of the most environmentally friendly fuels on the planet,” commented Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Director Dan Brandt, farmer and domestic marketing co-chair. “It is the only commercial fuel designated by the U.S. EPA as an advanced biofuel. As a soybean grower, I’m proud to be contributing to a better environment that everybody can enjoy.”

For more information, go to http://www.biodiesel.mn. The exhibit is sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.

 

 

Related Stories

Germany-based Mabanaft on April 17 announced it started to supply SAF to airlines at Frankfurt Airport in January. The company said it will deliver more than 1,000 metric tons of SAF to the airport this year under the European SAF mandate.

Read More

easyJet and ATOBA Energy, in partnership with World Fuel Services, announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the development of long-term supply of SAF for easyJet’s operations in Europe and the U.K.

Read More

EVA Air announced the signing of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement agreements with three major suppliers: AEG FUELS from the U.S., COSMO Oil Marketing Co. Ltd. from Japan, and Formosa Petrochemical Corp. from Taiwan.

Read More

As the demand for fleet decarbonization continues to intensify, Optimus Technologies on April 22 announced the production launch of its latest Vector System, a fuel system technology that enables heavy-duty engines to operate on B100.

Read More

Mammoet on April 23 announced that it will be implementing HVO fuel across the Netherlands, U.K. and Canada. The investment in HVO was driven by higher demand from lower carbon solutions from the company’s customers.

Read More

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement