Renewable Fuels
Hawaiʻi has been using for biofuels for more than 15 years. The gasoline sold at the pump was required to blended with 10% ethanol, a derivative of corn, from 2006 to 2015. Even though that law was repealed, gasoline is still blended with ethanol and is used by consumers. Today, there is a growing demand for other biofuels made from plants to reduce our state’s dependence upon fossil fuels.
Biodiesel and Renewable Fuels
Biodiesel and renewal fuels are different products.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is made from a single ingredient or a blend of new or waste vegetable oil, animal fats, or algae. The U.S. government considers domestically produced biodiesel to be carbon neutral because soybean plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Typically, biodiesel is used as a blendstock. It is blended with petroleum-based diesel at ratio of 10% biodiesel to 90% traditional diesel to be used in regular vehicle engines.
Renewable Diesel
Renewable diesel is a transportation fuel derived from biomass through hydrotreating. This makes the fuel, which is functionally identical to traditional diesel and can be used for unmodified diesel engines.