Biodiesel vs. Ethanol: Which is Which?

Sometimes, confusion is really inevitable. I never thought that there are still some who thought of biodiesel as ethanol or vice-versa. The May 3 editorial featured in The Washington Post entitled “The Greening of Montgomery” showed a common misunderstanding between biodiesel and ethanol. The editorial mentioned a line saying: “One measure would switch the country’s fleet of diesel cars to biofuels. Considering the impact ethanol has had on the environment and food prices, we urge Montgomery County to explore alternatives." Biodiesel is different from ethanol. People need to understand the clear distinction between these two to come up into better environmental decisions.

To avoid confusion, we only need to focus on the procedure of their production and ingredients. Biodiesel is a domestic renewable fuel taken from vegetable oils. Ethanol on the other hand is produced by fermenting and distilling sugar crops and starch like maize, potatoes, sugar-cane, vegetable and fruit waste, sorghum, wheat, and even cornstalks. Between these two, biodiesel has a better ratio of energy input to energy output as stated by Brian Fitzgerald, a green consultant in Chevy Chase. He further explained that the ratio of energy input to energy output in corn-based ethanol is 1:1.3. On the other hand, the virgin soy oil biodiesel is 1:3.5. Therefore, biodiesel return the energy investment three times better compared to ethanol. Fitzgerald also mentioned the debate between food and fuel; because of this issue, we therefore need to focus on the most resourceful sources of alternative energy. Between the two, biodiesel can give off instantaneous positive action inside the community and then participate on the long-term domestic solution.

Well actually, Fitzgerald is a testimony to his words because his car actually runs in pure biodiesel. The biodiesel he uses is made locally from used oil in restaurant. And although Montgomery’s editorial misses the accurate information, this will not hinder him to applaud its plan to run vehicles using environmentally friendly fuel. Anyhow, both forms of fuel are friendly to the environment. The difference only varies as to how they work over petroleum-based gasoline.