Interest in renewable energy has heightened due to the uncertainties of the supplies and prices of the fossil/petroleum fuels. Using vegetable and animal oils as a source of diesel fuel provides an alternative solution. The production of biodiesel in the US is becoming increasingly more available. The biodiesel fuels have properties different from petroleum diesel fuel which are both positive and negative with respect to engine performance.

Since most modern diesel engines were designed for the petroleum fuel, some problems would be expected when using biodiesel fuel due to small differences in properties. But these problems can easily be overcome with minor adjustments in engine operation and maintenance and handling of the fuel.