What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning alternative "diesel" fuel, made from 100% natural, 100% renewable sources. Biodiesel can be used in place of standard diesel (which is made from fossil fuels) in almost any place that regular diesel is called for.

On Maui most biodiesel is made from used cooking oil. This cooking oil is collected primarily from restaurants that have deep fat fryers that cook foods like French fries. These restaurants usually hire a pumping company to collect their oil after they are done with it, who then bring it to the biodiesel processor. Once at the processor, the oil is filtered, (if made from used cooking oil) and put through a process called transesterification which basically mixes vegetable oil with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst, (usually lye.) This process separates and creates two commodities, biodiesel (the chemical name being methyl esters) and glycerin (which is an ingredient in a lot of soaps.)

Virgin vegetable oils can also be used to make biodiesel. Quite often oils that are turned down as food grade vegetable oil are used to make biodiesel. Different plants contain different amounts of oils. Depending on where it is farmed, one can use several different plants to make biodiesel. Some of the commonly used vegetable oils to make biodiesel include: - mustard, rapeseed (a.k.a. canola), palm, olive, peanut, soy bean, safflower, sunflower, castor, etc.

It is interesting to note that Rudolf Diesel, the person who invented the diesel engine, intended and ran his engines on vegetable oil!

Biodiesel can be confusing. When you see B100 B20 or B5 etc...This means what percentage of biodiesel is actually in the fuel B20, therefore, means it is 20% biodiesel, and 80% regular petroleum diesel (fossil fuel) B5 means there is only 5% biodiesel, the rest is regular petroleum diesel (fossil fuel) B100, therefore means it is 100% biodiesel or to be 100% accurate...

Right now, the closest to a "B100" option available to the general public is B99.9.
Which means the fuel is 99.9% biodiesel and .01 % regular diesel.
Why you ask? Due to a crazy federal tax credit, there must be at least .01% regular diesel blended with B100 biodiesel to qualify for this tax break! Although a silly rule, it helps keep biodiesel prices lower!
Some places label any blends of biodiesel and petroleum diesel as "biodiesel"
so it is important to find out how much biodiesel is actually being offered.
Bio-Beetle approves use of only 100% (99.9) B-100 biodiesel, unless one has no other options what so ever

Back to Top


Why Biodiesel?

Fossil fuel is the primary cause of pollution in the world. Biodiesel offers those who want a clean environment the option to make a significant beneficial impact by using a renewable fuel. Sustainability? Or business (pollution) as usual? Biodiesel dramatically reduces particulate matter emissions and other federally targeted emissions while helping to stabilize greenhouse gases. Biodiesel is also non-toxic, biodegradable and free of sulfur.

Back to Top

Who is Bio-Beetle?

The idea for a biodiesel rental car has been a long-time dream of Shaun Stenshol, owner of Maui Recycling service. He and partner Pamela Miedtke-Wolf, are constantly looking for ways to make Maui (and the planet) self sustaining, and their lives as close to zero waste as possible. Maui Recycling Service, plus, Shaun and Pam currently use Biodiesel in all their vehicles. Making Bio-Beetle a reality was just another way to show what we can do, right now, to help protect the planet.

Bio-Beetle seeks out 100% vegetable oil from sustainable choices, based biodiesel because it is the best environmentally friendly fuel choice available today! We use earth friendly coolants, synthetic engine oil and non toxic cleaners. We will always choose the most natural, biodegradable, cruelty free options available. We are using 100% recycled or tree free paper in the office, organic cotton uniforms, and recycled items when obtainable. Plus we are encouraging renters to bring in their recyclables and choose other ECO travel options when available. We also ask our renters to take care of the cars, and do things such as clean off sand and dirt before getting into the vehicles because even though they are supporting a non fossil fuel powered car, the electricity that is needed to vacuum the cars still is!
Read our full Bio-Beetle Philosophy here.
Back to Top

Where are you located?

On MAUI Bio-Beetle is located at 55B Amala street in Kahului, near the Kahului Airport and the Harbor. Renters can arrange to be picked up curbside at the Maui Kahului airport or near the Kahului dock if getting off a cruise ship. We can even arrange to meet in Kihei or other locations.
It is always best to call ahead, in case we are out, and can plan accordingly.

Back to Top

Where do I fuel up?

Renters must check with the car rental agency for any specific details concerning refueling.
On Maui Pacific biodiesel is located at 40 Hobron, Kahului.

The Pacific Biodiesel phone # is 808-877-3144. Pacific Biodiesel hours of operation are 8 am - 5 pm Monday thru Friday, and are closed most holidays, so make sure you have enough fuel by Friday to get you thru the weekend.
Bio-Beetle does have their own tank for refueling if Renters return a car when Pacific Biodiesel is closed.
Several other locals and businesses, that use biodiesel, keep a supply at their location and have it delivered periodically.
Can anyone fuel their own diesel car at Pacific Biodiesel?
One has to have a membership with them before fueling, so contact Pac. Bio if you are interested. 808- 877-3144..


What happens if the rental car
has mechanical problems while I am renting?

By renting the Bio-Beetle, you accept the fact that this rental car is unique. We do our best to make sure there won't be problems, but if there are, we will try to help you find another vehicle, but it MAY NOT be biodiesel only.


Back to Top

Is Biodiesel approved for use?

Biodiesel is registered as a fuel and fuel additive with the Environmental Protection Agency and meets clean diesel standards established by the California Air Resources Board.

Back to Top


Is there any noticeable difference
when using 100% biodiesel vs regular diesel?

While its emissions are radically lower, biodiesel functions in the engine the same as petroleum diesel. Biodiesel can be substituted for diesel with essentially no engine modifications, and maintains the payload capacity and range of diesel.

Back to Top

Can I use biodiesel in a vehicle myself?

Yes! Any diesel vehicle or engine can run on biodiesel. Older vehicles may need minor modifications with fuel lines or other rubber fuel components. New diesels should have no problems (e.g. as of October 2006 Maui Recycling Service powers a 2001 Ford F-450 with over 86,000 miles, 2 Kann Manufacturing Curbsorters combined over 140,000 miles.

Back to Top

Is the use of Biodiesel covered under engine warranties?

Manufacturer warranties cover defects in material and workmanship, and those warranties extend to engines burning Biodiesel. These warranties do not cover engine problems related to fuel of any kind. Tests and demonstrations, however, have shown that biodiesel is no different from petroleum diesel in terms of engine performance and wear.

Back to Top


How much does Biodiesel cost?

As of December, 2007, on Maui, biodiesel costs $3.49/gallon (road tax included) for your road vehicle, this is one of the lowest prices for biodiesel in the world.
On Mainland USA biodiesel costs between $2.00 and $18.00 per gallon (before road tax - road tax varies state to state).

Back to Top


Is Biodiesel cost effective?

YES! A gas car that gets 25 miles per gallon (above average for a typical gas car) costs 9.8 cents per mile to drive at $2.459/gallon fuel cost (current cost of regular unleaded gasoline on Maui - April 2004).  A diesel car that gets 35 miles per gallon (typical for a diesel with an automatic transmission, and about what our Bio-Beetles average) costs 6.7 cents per mile to drive, at $2.35/gallon (cost of biodiesel at Pacific Biodiesel, road tax included). Diesel engines are more efficient than gas motors, so you will almost certainly save money on transportation if you switch from a gas vehicle to a biodiesel vehicle . The only way you will spend more money on fuel is if you already have a diesel vehicle and decide to switch from petrol diesel to biodiesel.

Back to Top


Who is using Biodiesel?

Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine. Here are some Maui Biodiesel pioneers:

• Pacific Biodiesel - 6 trucks
• Shaun Stenshol - 2000 Volkswagen Golf TDI (over 70,000 miles)
• Maui Recycling Service - three recycling trucks (combined, over 120,000 miles)
• P.B. 1981 Volkswagen truck (over 45,000 miles)
• Woody Harrelson - 2000 Volkswagen Beetle TDI
• Willy Nelson of course
• Daryl Hannah
• Maui County - sludge trucks 
• Maui EKO - tractors
• Pukalani golf course - well pump
• Maui Community College - generator
• and a lot of others all around the world!

several condominiums use biodiesel in generators. On Kauai - Na Pali Adventures uses biodiesel in their tour boat. Biodiesel is also extensively used in Europe, especially Germany and France.

Back to Top


Who else can benefit from Biodiesel?

Besides supporting local farmers instead of the petroleum industry, Biodiesel strengthens the nation’s energy security while generating new industry and high-quality jobs. The United States spends about $60 billion each year to import nearly 50 percent of its oil. Imported oil is expected to grow to 70 percent very soon. Biodiesel also has a positive energy balance, generating three or more units of energy for every unit required to make it. And because it is biodegradable and nontoxic, biodiesel poses little to no environmental threat while in transit.
Another benefit is that used and non food grade cooking oil is often landfilled, so making biodiesel out of it helps lead us to a zero waste society while giving us a much desired source of energy.
Back to Top


Can Biodiesel help mitigate global warming?

Yes! A 1998 biodiesel lifecycle study, jointly sponsored by the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Agriculture, concluded biodiesel reduces net CO2 emission by 78 percent compared to petroleum diesel. This is due to biodiesel’s closed carbon cycle. The CO2 released into the atmosphere when biodiesel is burned is recycled by growing plants, which are later processed into fuel.

Back to Top



Is Biodiesel the answer to the worlds energy crisis?

Bio-Beetles position on biodiesel as an alternative fuel:

Biodiesel is a part of this world’s solution to its dependency on oil, but it is not the only answer. The world needs to change its ways and drastically cut down its use of energy no matter what its source. Even if someone is driving on pure biodiesel, they should not feel the right to drive as much as they want and use as much biodiesel as they can…

Biodiesel can and should only be made from totally sustainable renewable feedstock, even algae. It can even be made from 100% used / recycled oil from restaurants and oil that is not suitable for food, which is what is currently being used at the fueling stations Bio-Beetle uses. But, biodiesel can also be made by stripping lands, ruining the environment, GMOs, and depleting food supplies, which is being done over seas and Bio-Beetle will not support those practices.

Just like any commodity, we must keep aware of where biodiesel comes from and how it is made, and we must do our best to see that it remains the best fuel option we have today, without exploiting the land and people around it.

Even if all fuel used in America today were biodiesel, and was made from renewable earth/future friendly sources, we would not have enough to support our current demand, so we each must still be conscious in our actions. We still need to cut down on our driving, walk, ride a bike, car pool when possible, and choose cars that get the greatest fuel economy.

We also need to look at other ways our habits are exploiting the land for fuel use. If we demand fuel we need to switch from a meat based diet to a grain based diet, since we can feed a lot more people and have more plants for fuel oil with grains, plus make ourselves healthier and the planet healthier! We need to change our consumer attitudes of getting anything and everything we want… We need to be active in government and demand changes that are best for the planet and those who live here…

Everything we do, everything we buy has an effect on our environment. We as individuals make choices everyday of doing what is best for the planet, our selves, and the future. Bio-Beetle promises to do our best in making choices that are best for all and make sure the biodiesel we use is from sustainable earth friendly sources. We hope that you will try to do what is best also.


Where can I get even more information on Biodiesel fuel?

http://www.biodiesel.org/
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc
Back to Top

Where can I rent a biodiesel car?

Maui Hawaii

Look for more locations soon!