I was recently involved in a motorcycle accident. Although it was pretty bad, I know that it could have been a lot worse. The physical injuries will heal, but I think I am scarred for life when it comes to jumping back on a motorcycle. We don’t think I can ever do that again. Even though We love the feeling of freedom that a bike provides, I don’t think We can put myself through that again. Plus, I ended up almost flunking out of college with all the class time missed. Anyway, moving forward, I am looking to purchase a car. However, I want to purchase something that is more environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuel. What do you think of biodiesel, and does this type of fuel work with diesel engines?

We are so sorry that you had to live through that experience. It’s hard to even begin to imagine how horrible it must have been to you and those close to you. However, it’s wonderful that you are alive and well and in a position to share the experience. Such accidents can have devastating results in all aspects of life. Your attitude of moving forward and being so forward-thinking that you are considering vehicles that are more environmentally-friendly is admirable.

Seeking Professional Advice

The mental scars caused by the accident are no small matter. Before we get to the topic of biodiesel, have you considered looking at the possible mental injuries sustained because of the accident?Accidents that result in injury often cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This may be something that you may want to pursue as it seems that you may be suffering from some trauma.

Gold, Albanese, Barletti, and Locascio, a law firm in Morristown, NJ, stress that consulting an attorney is important as accidents can cause a diminishment in the quality of work. If you are struggling at work or in class, including problems concentrating or missing class time because of medical treatment, you have the right to be compensated. Make sure to consult an attorney and understand your rights and options.

The Future is Green

There are several alternatives to fossil fuels that are being implemented by car manufacturers and are being used in advanced vehicles. Such alternatives include hydrogen, electricity, natural gas, ethanol, and biodiesel, among others. Hybrids use a combination of gasoline and electricity generating each time the driver steps on the brakes. This energy is stored in batteries and used when available. The cost of hybrids is much higher than other fuel source vehicles; therefore, it may take some time before the increased cost is offset by the mileage savings. Natural gas options have also become popular and are a cleaner alternative to gasoline. However, cars that run on natural gas have a limited range, and the vehicle selection is limited. Additionally, finding refueling stations can be challenging in many areas.

Other fuel sources, like hydrogen, are still too expensive to realistically implement; however, biodiesel fuels are made from recycled cooking oil, vegetable oil, or animal fats and are compatible with conventional diesel engines. Some biodiesel, such as that made from the SeQuential biodiesel process, produces an even cleaner and non-toxic alternative. Its use has reduced carbon footprints by 85%. The selection of cars that can use this type of fuel is also more extensive than the other alternatives.

The idea behind biodiesel is to reduce dependency on foreign oil while replacing polluting fossil fuels with cleaner and renewable alternatives. Biodiesel was the first biofuel to be designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an advanced fuel produced in a commercial scale. Commercial-scale production of the fuel has produced more than 2.8 billion gallons, representing a growing sector that should provide better results in lowering the demand for imported oil while creating a new sector for jobs. Additionally, the use of this biofuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles with conventional diesel engines are not vehicles that use alternative fuels. Nevertheless, most cars with conventional diesel engines can process biodiesel. Before selecting any car with a conventional diesel engine, review the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) information to see if the engine can process higher-level blends of biodiesel. Not all equipment manufacturers approve of the use of such fuels, so do your research and select an adequate vehicle.

Vehicle Options

Before selecting a vehicle, review what type of biodiesel fuels are available in your state and ensure that the car that you end up buying is compatible with that fuel. This is important, as not all cities or state have the infrastructure for biodiesel fuels. The infrastructure is continually being upgraded and Wolley Fuel in Maplewood NJ, for example, has B5 – B30 blends. In this case, a Volkswagen Passat TDI or a Volkswagen Jetta would be an excellent choice.

Given your experience with the motorcycle accident, review the safety ratings of each vehicle. If looking for a pre-owned vehicle, you should also be asking specific questions such as mileage per gallon of fuel, if the car has run biodiesel before, if any major repairs have taken place, and when the last fuel filter change was conducted. Additionally, get the vehicle inspected. This is not an area where you want to save money. Investing in an inspection can save you a lot of heartache in the future.

Final Thoughts

Highway safety is something that becomes an afterthought until an accident takes place. We drive constantly and, thus, our comfort level rises as we view the activity as a normal occurrence in our daily lives. Hopefully, before too long, you’ll be ready to take a drive around town or even make a road trip somewhere without a lot of traffic. A trip that affords you experiences in Vicksburg, Mississippi, for instance, will let you see famous historical sites while practicing navigating nothing more daunting than a small town. However, the roads can still be dangerous, regardless of our level of comfort, as it often involves many variables that are out of our control. This is especially true with a motorcycle. It is important for you to get back to that comfort level so that you can enjoy driving again. It may be that a car is the first step toward building confidence.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ― Winston S. Churchill