What is the current price?
The current price is $1.45/litre. This includes the new $0.275/litre BC tax on biodiesel.
We purchase fuel several thousand litres at a time and then average the price across batches.
Is the Co-op taking new members?
Yes. As we come on-line with our new tank location we will start working through our membership wait list. New members need to attend an Orientation Session and fill out some paper work and then they can purchase fuel. Send email to info <<@>> vancouverbiodiesel.org to sign up for an upcoming orientation.
Can I use 100% Biodiesel?
When the weather gets cold (< 10°C), all members are advised to mix 50/50 with dino diesel (aka regular Diesel) to avoid fuel gelling. The co-op is looking into cold weather additives, but the fuel is currently un-treated.
Will my car work with Biodiesel?
Biodiesel requires NO special modifications to your diesel-engine car or truck. The biodiesel we use is made from 100% recycled, local, vegetarian waste vegetable oil. As biodiesel is much cleaner running in your engine, you should monitor your fuel filter & tubing (deposits from previous use of conventional diesel are flushed out, and old rubber tubing may become spongy). The more biodiesel you use, the longer your engine will last.
How will Biodiesel work in the Winter?
Unfortunately, I don't have specific numbers for cloud points. But since we've switched to the non-animal biodiesel to our new source the cloud point is much lower, and it un-clouds much much faster. The cloud point of our current fuel is ~0C, but we must be more cautious in our recommendations to co-op members, as we don't want people to get stuck with a frozen fuel system (this happened to me last year during that dec cold snap in 2008). So we recommend that people mix 50/50 all winter long to be safe.
Usually winterized diesel is good to ~-30C, so the 50/50 mix should be good to ~-15C. In spring we'll remove our 50/50 recommendation.
The co-op tries to be very conservative in our recommendations to members, but members are free to experiment at their own risk. It really depends on where you keep your vehicle and what you're comfortable with. Last year the cold snap really caught me off guard and I couldn't use my vehicle for a week. :) But it thawed out and was fine after that.
