Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100)

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) blended with petroleum diesel; lifecycle benefits scale with blend ratio.

What it is

Biodiesel is FAME — fatty acid methyl ester — produced via transesterification of vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. It is *not* the same molecule as renewable diesel (R99). At low blends it behaves like diesel; at high blends it has its own handling characteristics (cold flow, solvent action on rubber components, cleaning effect on tank residue).

Will my vehicle run it?

Compatibility scales inversely with blend ratio.

• B20 (20% biodiesel / 80% petroleum diesel) is broadly compatible with most modern diesels — confirm OEM approval.
• B99 / B100 require explicit OEM approval; some warranties exclude blends above B5 or B20.
• Older vehicles may need fuel hose / gasket upgrades for sustained high-blend use.
• Cold-weather operation above B20 typically requires additives or blending down for the season.

Environmental impact vs. petroleum diesel

• ~15% reduction in lifecycle CO2-equivalent emissions vs. petroleum diesel.
• ~10% reduction in particulate matter at the tailpipe vs. petroleum diesel.
• Energy density is essentially identical to petroleum diesel; no MPG penalty.
• B99 / B100 raise the reduction to roughly 74% vs. petroleum diesel, scaling with blend ratio and feedstock pathway.

Sources: CARB Low Carbon Fuel Standard pathway data; EPA Renewable Fuel Standard lifecycle analysis.

Trade-offs and caveats

• Cold-weather gel point is materially higher than ULSD; not recommended in cold climates without additive package.
• Often produced and distributed by local co-ops, which is a feature for some users and a logistics constraint for others.
• B100 has solvent properties that loosen residue in older fuel systems — first-time users often need a fuel filter change soon after switching.

Where to find it

Strong distribution in the Pacific Northwest, parts of California, and around dedicated co-op networks in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

Browse Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100) stations on the map or jump to a state-level directory: California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, or all US states.

FAQ

What is Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100)?

Biodiesel is FAME — fatty acid methyl ester — produced via transesterification of vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. It is *not* the same molecule as renewable diesel (R99). At low blends it behaves like diesel; at high blends it has its own handling characteristics (cold flow, solvent action on rubber components, cleaning effect on tank residue).

Will my vehicle run Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100)?

Compatibility scales inversely with blend ratio. B20 (20% biodiesel / 80% petroleum diesel) is broadly compatible with most modern diesels — confirm OEM approval. B99 / B100 require explicit OEM approval; some warranties exclude blends above B5 or B20. Older vehicles may need fuel hose / gasket upgrades for sustained high-blend use. Cold-weather operation above B20 typically requires additives or blending down for the season.

What is the environmental impact of Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100)?

Environmental impact vs. petroleum diesel ~15% reduction in lifecycle CO2-equivalent emissions vs. petroleum diesel. ~10% reduction in particulate matter at the tailpipe vs. petroleum diesel. Energy density is essentially identical to petroleum diesel; no MPG penalty. B99 / B100 raise the reduction to roughly 74% vs. petroleum diesel, scaling with blend ratio and feedstock pathway.

What are the trade-offs of using Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100)?

Cold-weather gel point is materially higher than ULSD; not recommended in cold climates without additive package. Often produced and distributed by local co-ops, which is a feature for some users and a logistics constraint for others. B100 has solvent properties that loosen residue in older fuel systems — first-time users often need a fuel filter change soon after switching.

Where can I find Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100) stations?

Strong distribution in the Pacific Northwest, parts of California, and around dedicated co-op networks in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. OpenFuel maps every known Biodiesel (B20, B99, B100) station in the US, with crowdsourced prices when available.