Two years ago, WWF-Australia supporter and Futuremaker Phil Byrne and his wife Konny didn’t own a car. Concerned about their impact on the environment, the couple got around on bicycle.

Phil Byrne and his daughter Ruby in front of their veggie-run Mercedes
© WWF-Australia

But when baby Ruby came along, Phil started looking into ways he could drive without contributing to Australia’s ever-growing greenhouse gas emissions.

He was already aware that older diesel engines could use vegetable oil but after researching online for several weeks he not only discovered he could run a diesel car on a special form of vegetable-based biodiesel available in Australia, he also found he could easily purchase the fuel in his local area in Sydney.

"I did a Google search for ‘biodiesel’ in Australia and came across a forum where people were sharing information on biofuel," says Phil. "I learnt everything I needed to know about using biofuel in diesel-powered cars, how it works in the engine, and where to get hold of it close to where I live in Parramatta."

Phil bought himself a 1975 diesel-powered Mercedes 240D and without any modifications to the engine, was able to immediately run the car on biofuel.

Through the forum he discovered he was able to buy biodiesel at several service stations in Sydney or directly wholesale as part of a purchasing group formed on the website. The biggest issue right now is quality.

"It’s actually quite easy to find biodiesel in Australia, most states have at least one biofuel manufacturer. I buy it in bulk along with a group of us from the forum," says Phil. "The problem is some of the service stations are diluting the fuel and that’s what can lead to engine damage."

Technically, there is no reason why almost any diesel-powered car cannot run on diesel manufactured from vegetable oil. In Europe, where diesel-run cars are much more common, biofuel is used widely in vehicles everyday. Many councils in Australia currently run their fleets on biofuel. But some low-quality biofuels can damage fuel filters and fuel lines, so it’s important that you do your research before filling your car.

"Not all biofuel is up to [the] Australian Standard so always check whether the fuel is high-quality biodiesel before filling," says Phil. "Or better yet, buy directly from the wholesaler."

How does it perform?

"I haven’t noticed any difference when driving on this fuel," says Phil. "I’ve driven the car on long trips and the only issue is carrying enough fuel with me or making sure I can fill up on the way."

"The exhaust smells a little like a BBQ or a fish and chips shop, but you get used to it."

What about savings?

"If you buy your biodiesel in bulk from the manufacturer, you can make some savings. I just bought at $1.07 per litre," says Phil. "But the biggest saving you make is your impact on the environment."

"Biodiesel is 100% renewable and it can be made from 100% recycled vegetable oils. But your emissions are much less toxic than if you use regular fuel. And because the vegetables used to make the fuel absorb carbon when they are growing, it’s a ‘carbon-neutral’ fuel."

Advice for someone considering biofuels for their car?

"Do your research! Use the biofuel forum and ask questions before making any decisions, " says Phil. "And if it’s a new car, check that your warranty isn’t voided by using biofuel."

"The forum itself has already grown in the 12 months since I first went online to do my research, so more and more people are looking to have cleaner alternatives to run their cars," says Phil. "It’s not that hard."

Where to find Biodiesel in Australia

Many Volume Plus service stations currently stock biodiesel, as do some Metro petrol outlets, but make sure you ask about quality before you fill. Caltex is also looking to distribute biofuel blends.

The Biofuel Forum also has plenty of advice about where and how to buy biofuel in Australia.