Charles Dubouix Last update 23/06/2023

Alternative Fuels: B100 (Biodiesel 100%)

Key take-aways

B100 is an alternative road fuel made from vegetable oil. It reduces CO2 emissions by 60% and particulate matters by 80%. Currently in strong development, it is available on the main supply routes in France.

Going Further

B100, or 100% biodiesel, is a biofuel made up entirely from biological sources like vegetable oils and to a lesser extent animal fats, or recycled cooking grease. Since it is mostly produced from colza, it is a first generation biofuel.

B100 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels because they are part of a closed carbon cycle. While burning them still releases CO2, this CO2 was originally absorbed from the atmosphere by the plants during their growth, effectively making it a net-zero process.

In contrast, fossil fuels add to the atmospheric CO2 concentration because they release carbon that was stored underground for millions of years.

However, it's important to note that this doesn't take into account the CO2 emissions from the entire lifecycle of the fuel, including cultivation, harvesting, processing, and transporting the biodiesel. These activities can add to the overall greenhouse gas emissions of Biofuels. That’s why we cannot say -100% of CO2e. emissions. All in all, B100 reduces emissions by 60% compared to traditional diesel.

B100 requires investments from carriers resulting in surcharges applied to :

• B100 is not compatible with all engine types, which may require modifications
• Infrastructure changes might be needed for B100 production, distribution, and storage, and costs can be higher than traditional diesel.
• ⚠️ Carriers using B100 often have their own fuel storage tanks due to B100's limited availability in public fueling stations. Compared to conventional diesel, this setup could slightly limit their operational flexibility (range) as they are dependent on their own fuel reserves.
• Higher fuel consumption : B100 is slightly less efficient than regular diesel while it is sold at the same price
• B100 trucks sometimes require more frequent maintenance