Biodiesel emissions are substantially lower than petroleum diesel emissions. Biodiesel tailpipe emissions are similar to gasoline emissions.

However, compared to gasoline, biodiesel produces no sulfur dioxide, no net carbon dioxide, up to 20 times less carbon monoxide, and more free oxygen.

Biodiesel has the following emissions characteristics when compared to petroleum diesel fuel:

• Reduction of net Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions by 100%
• Reduction of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions by 100%
• Reduction of Soot emmissions by 40-60%
• Reduction of Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions by 10-50%
• Reduction of Hydrocarbon (HC) emissions by 10-50%
• Reduction of all Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and specifically the reduction of the following carcinogenic PAHs:
  • Reduction of Phenantren by 97%
  • Reduction of Benzofloroanthen by 56%
  • Reduction of Benzapyren by 71%
  • Reduction of Aldehydes and Aromatic Compounds by 13%
• Reduction or increase of Nitrous Oxide (NOx) emissions by 5-10%, depending on the age of the vehicle and the tuning of the engine.