What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel, made from 100% natural, 100% renewable vegetable sources. Here are just a few of the vegetable oils that can be used to make biodiesel - mustard, rapeseed (aka canola), palm, olive, peanut, soy bean, safflower, sunflower, castor, etc. On Maui, all biodiesel is made from used cooking oil.

(Some places label blends of biodiesel and petroleum diesel as "biodiesel", whereas we use only 100% (B100) biodiesel.)

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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.

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Who is Bio-beetle?

The idea for a biodiesel rental car has been a long-time dream of Shaun Stenshol, owner of Maui Recycling. He and partner Pamela Miedtke-Wolf, are constantly looking for ways to make Maui self sustaining, and their lives as close to zero waste as possible. Maui Recycling Service, plus, Shaun and Pam currently use 100% Biodiesel (B100) 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.

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Where are you located?

BIO-BEETLE rental cars on Maui is located at 55 Amala Street in Kahului, very close to the Kahului airport and Harbor. Renters can arrange to be picked up curbside at the Maui Kahului airport or harbor if coming from cruise ship. Phone 808-873-6121.


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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 877-3144. Pacific Biodiesel hours of operation are 8 am - 5 pm Monday thru Friday, so make sure you have enough fuel by Friday to get you thru the weekend.
FUEL EMERGENCIES on Maui only contact the number given to you at pick up. You will be charged extra for emergency deliveries.

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 help you find another vehicle, but it MAY NOT be biodiesel only.


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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.

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What are the benefits?

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. On Hawaii all biodiesel is made from used cooking oil collected from restaurants, making it a 100% recycled fuel, and keeping it out of the landfill.

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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 December 2004 Maui Recycling Service powers a 2001 Ford F-450 with over 53,000 miles, 2 INTRNATIONAL Kann Manufacturing Curbsorters combined over 100,000 miles, and our 2000 VW Golf with over 63,000 miles).

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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.

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How much does Biodiesel cost?

As of December, 2004, on Maui B100 biodiesel costs $2.59/gallon (road tax included) for your road vehicle, this is one of the lowest prices for biodiesel in the world. On Oahu biodiesel is $2.49/gallon (road tax included). On Mainland USA biodiesel costs between $2.00 and $18.00 per gallon (before road tax - road tax varies state to state).

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Is Biodiesel cost effective?

YES! A gas car that gets 25 miles per gallon (above average for a typical gas car) costs 10.7 cents per mile to drive at $2.69/gallon fuel cost (current cost of regular unleaded gasoline on Maui - March 2005).  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 7 cents per mile to drive, at $2.45/gallon (Bio-beetle customers cost of B100 biodiesel at Pacific Biodiesel, road tax included). Diesel engines are more efficient than gas motors, so you will certainly save money on transportation in Hawaii if you switch from a gas vehicle to a biodiesel vehicle.

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Who is using Biodiesel?

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

• Pacific Biodiesel - 6 trucks
• Shaun Stenshol/Pam Wolf - 2000 Volkswagen Golf TDI (over 70,000 miles)
• Maui Recycling Service - five recycling trucks (combined, over 165,000 miles), 1994 International, 1996 International, 1989 Isuzu, 2001 Ford F-450, 2004 Ford F-450
• Paul Brandt - 1981 Volkswagen truck (over 50,000 miles)
• Woody Harrelson - 2000 Volkswagen Beetle TDI
• Willie Nelson - Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2004 Mercedes, Ford Excursion
• Maui County - 20% blend (B20) in most County diesel vehicles 
• Maui EKO Compost - tractors
• Pukalani golf course - well pump
• Maui Community College - generator

Several condominiums use biodiesel in generators. Biodiesel is extensively used in Europe, especially Germany and France.

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Who else can benefit from Biodiesel?

Biodiesel strengthens Maui’s and 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.

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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 B100 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.

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Where can I get even more information on Biodiesel fuel?

http://www.biodiesel.org/
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc
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