How much do you pay for biodiesel? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

diametricalbenz · #1 01-11-2005, 01:18 PM

Maybe it's just me, but biodiesel is just plain hard to get and rather expensive here in SoCal if you live in the downtown area. I paid $6.90 a gallon for it (in 5 gallon buckets) in Burbank.

How much do you all pay for biodiesel throughout the country currently?

On the bright side the fuel burns great, smells better, runs smoother, required half the glow time....and I am snacking incessantly

R Leo · #2 01-11-2005, 01:30 PM

$3.40/gal at Austin Biofuels and it is dispensed by the gallon to your vehicle (only on Wednesday tho). FWIW, I only use B100 as a thinner for my WVO.

Old300D · #3 01-11-2005, 01:47 PM

I got a 55 gallon drum of it for $3.00 a gallon, but that was a one time deal. It normally sells for $3.20+ (I haven't priced it lately) here in Colorado.

Chris Bell · #4 01-11-2005, 02:25 PM

I think the last time I fueld up it was 3.60 per gallon. I buy it at
western States Oil on 10th street in San Jose

boneheaddoctor · #5 01-11-2005, 02:37 PM

I got B20 local for $2.38 a gallon......have found no source for B100 yet.

KCampbell · #6 01-11-2005, 02:44 PM

It was around $3.40 a few weeks back when I last filled my 5 gallon containers. I dump a 2 gallon dose of B100 into each fill up, which has me running a bit less than B20.

Kevin

TomJ · #7 01-11-2005, 02:57 PM

$2.50 gal. (B100) - but that's in trade for wrench work.

Zeitgeist · #8 01-11-2005, 03:05 PM

I buy B20 for $2.38 and B100 for $3.20 at our local fueling station--very convenient.

aklim · #9 01-11-2005, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeitgeist

I buy B20 for $2.38 and B100 for $3.20 at our local fueling station--very convenient.

B100 is kinda pricy tho. Do you get better mileage that will make up for the 50% increase in cost?

R Leo · #10 01-11-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

B100 is kinda pricy tho. Do you get better mileage that will make up for the 50% increase in cost?

No increase in mileage but it's a renewable fuel source that does not produce a net gain in CO2/greenhouse gasses and doesn't require spending a gazillion $$$ and squandering young men's lives invading a middle eastern country to acquire.

Zeitgeist · #11 01-11-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

No increase in mileage but it's a renewable fuel source that does not produce a net gain in CO2/greenhouse gasses and doesn't require spending a gazillion $$$ and squandering young men's lives invading a middle eastern country to acquire.

...ayup, what he said.

aklim · #12 01-11-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

No increase in mileage but it's a renewable fuel source that does not produce a net gain in CO2/greenhouse gasses and doesn't require spending a gazillion $$$ and squandering young men's lives invading a middle eastern country to acquire.

I don't know. 50% increase in price is a hard pill to swallow tho. Also, with the few diesels we have on the road and even fewer that use it, I am not sure it will make the difference. In any case, gasoline cars are more of an issue since they are way larger in percentage. In europe, almost half of their cars are diesel. Over here, I don't know what the percentage is but I am fairly certain it is less than 10% excluding trucks.

phidauex · #13 01-11-2005, 08:12 PM

Biodiesel costs me somewhere between .50 cents and 2.50$ depending on where I get it. Commercial B100 around here is a hair over 3.00 a gallon.

Yes, aklim, we know that it is more expensive per gallon than regular diesel. But regular diesel is more expensive than gasoline, so what are you even doing on this board? Oh, well I guess there is more to a fuel choice than its pump cost.

Prices of biodiesel are on there way down. You've only given the tax incentive program 11 days.

The thickness of your wallet today is not the only qualifier for fuels. One theory in conservation is that conserving resources today is cheaper than the resulting problems from running out too early. Your wallet tommorow will thank the decision your wallet today made. As a nation, the costs of increased CO2 output will be tremendous.

And I'm not the only one who thinks this, many large companies and agricultural customers are using biodiesel blends for its engine benefits and sustainability. Plus, it helps put some weight behind those patriotic bumperstickers that are so common.

Peace,
Sam

R Leo · #14 01-11-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I am not sure it will make the difference.

"No individual raindrop ever considers itself responsible for the flood."

Anon

aklim · #15 01-11-2005, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phidauex

Biodiesel costs me somewhere between .50 cents and 2.50$ depending on where I get it. Commercial B100 around here is a hair over 3.00 a gallon.

Yes, aklim, we know that it is more expensive per gallon than regular diesel. But regular diesel is more expensive than gasoline, so what are you even doing on this board? Oh, well I guess there is more to a fuel choice than its pump cost.

Prices of biodiesel are on there way down. You've only given the tax incentive program 11 days.

The thickness of your wallet today is not the only qualifier for fuels. One theory in conservation is that conserving resources today is cheaper than the resulting problems from running out too early. Your wallet tommorow will thank the decision your wallet today made. As a nation, the costs of increased CO2 output will be tremendous.

And I'm not the only one who thinks this, many large companies and agricultural customers are using biodiesel blends for its engine benefits and sustainability. Plus, it helps put some weight behind those patriotic bumperstickers that are so common.

Peace,
Sam

My C280 got about 24 mpg cruising and this diesel gets 30 cruising. That is why I went to diesel. Because the wife has a lot of driving for her classes next few semesters that are out of town. Diesel costs about 20 cents more than premium unleaded but gets about 5 mpg more either in the city or highway so it makes financial sense to go with a diesel if you are driving long distances. That is why I went with it in spite of the fact that if you come down to Madison and I gave you $10 for every diesel pump and you gave me $1 for every gas pump, I will still come out ahead, way way ahead. Around the east side of Madison, I have found 3 places that sell diesel for a grand total of 3 pimps. Since one of them is about a mile away from my house, it isn't too bad. I also have the bad habit of running down to the empty mark before I fill up. Now I have to watch it more carefully. But like I said, the savings make it work.

What tax incentive are you talking about? I heard something about some incentives so I asked the local biodiesel distributor shop (80 miles away) and they had no clue about any sort of incentive. What incentive and what will it do and how does it work? You've lost me here. Anyways, I doubt I will be buying biodiesel retularly because it won't make sense for me to drive 80 miles there and 80 miles back for a tank of fuel. Maybe once in a long while to play with it but not as a regular event.

Personally, I have never seen fleet reports that prove conclusively that biodiesel will save the engine. I would like to see the numbers because that is what makes me comfortable. I'd like to see say a report that shows 2 fleets side by side. One iwth biodiesel and one without and the maintenance cost. Since people are saying it is better for the engine. Has anyone run a test were we can show definately one way or the other?

I am sure that if real savings can be shown, biodiesel will take off a lot faster than it is now.

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