Biofuel defined broadly is solid, liquid, or gas fuel consisting of, or derived from biomass. The more narrow definition used in this article is liquid or gas fuel derived from biomass and used as a fuel in transportation. Biomass used directly as a fuel is commonly called biomass fuel. The main reason for using biofuel is to reduce the greenhouse effect; secondly for security of supply.
Biofuels are commonly used throughout the world. The most common use for biofuels is automotive transport (E10 fuel). Essentially a biofuel can be produced from any short term carbon cycle organic compound; due to this there is a high variety of resources and therefore many types of biofuels.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources (such as vegetable oils), which can be used in unmodified diesel-engine vehicles. It is thus distinguished from the straight vegetable oils (SVO) or waste vegetable oils (WVO) used as fuels in some diesel vehicles.

Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic, and typically produces about 60% less net carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum-based diesel,[2] as it is itself produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide via photosynthesis in plants. Pure biodiesel is available at many gas stations in Germany.[3]

Some vehicle manufacturers are enthusiastic about the use of biodiesel, citing lower engine wear as one of the benefits of this fuel. However, as biodiesel is a better solvent than standard diesel, it ‘cleans’ the engine, removing deposits in the fuel lines, and this may cause blockages in the fuel injectors. For this reason, car manufacturers recommend that the fuel filter be changed a few months after switching to biodiesel (this part is often replaced anyway in regular servicing). Most manufacturers release lists of the cars that will run on 100% biodiesel.

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