Driving from FL to CA using bioDiesel
bioDiesel2go takes the show on the road!
Planning a three week round trip journey from Florida to California and back all on bioDiesel.
My wife and I have been taking cross country trips for years, but this is our first using alternative fuels.
This trip will promote the use of bioDiesel and show others how easy it is to use an alternative fuel for long trips.
In the process we’ll use NO fossil fuel and we’ll decrease our emissions by 80% from our trip last year.
Another goal is to observe how retailers sell and distribute bioDiesel in other regions of the country.
I’ll bring back the knowledge and suggestions from these vendors to Sarasota to implement in our retail operation.
Can you buy bioDiesel throughout the country?
The best resource I’ve found is www.nearbio.com
You can mark your route on a map and the interface will list all biodiesel resources within 10-20 miles of your route.
I will also be taking a few fuel canisters to have extra fuel with me during the trip to insure that I’ve always got bioDiesel in the tank.
check this blog to learn more about the progress of the trip
Buy fuel from a legal source
Buyer beware…
It’s not difficult to make bioDiesel in your garage. All you need are the chemicals, feedstock (waste veggie oil, virgin oils, etc) and the mini refinery.
Many back-yard-chemists are springing up throughout the region.
Don’t be swayed by cheap price, you’ll pay for what you get in more ways than one. These unlicensed companies/individuals aren’t paying taxes and have no liability for their product. These small operations don’t get fuel tested to ASTM standards for fuel.
Nor do they usually have a consistent product.
- bioDiesel2go is the only company in Sarasota County licensed as an Alternative Fuel Retailer by the State of Florida.
- Purchasing bioDiesel from a non-licensed individual/company can result in fines of $10 for every gallon of fuel you purchase with a minimum of a $1000 fine. (For example, purchasing 250 gallons would result in a $2500 fine)
- Selling bioDiesel without a license is a felony in the State of Florida.
- Only purchase from a vendor that provides a receipt detailing the taxes paid, an FEIN number and a valid Fuel license number.
How can you avoid buying from an illegal source? Ask if the fuel is ASTM certified and for their license number.
Florida licenses can be checked online: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/fuel/fuel.html
We’re all for the widespread use of bioDiesel, but it doesn’t help the industry or the reputation of the product if non-licensed, non-regulated individuals are tainting the marketplace.