Blue Ridge Biofuels

Blue Ridge Biofuels is a great example of what biodiesel can do for communities in North Carolina. We started making biodiesel at our factory in Asheville, NC in 2005. and we’ve moved up to producing 40.000 gallons of biodiesel every month! Biodiesel is a clean, renewable, locally sourced fuel that improves North Carolina’s economy, environment, and energy independence.

Our Mission

Biodiesel is a clean-burning renewable alternative to petroleum diesel fuel.

It can be used in any diesel engine, including on-road vehicles, off-road equipment, and #2 home heating oil furnaces. No modifica- tions are necessary to use biodiesel, which is often sold blended with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is better for the environment because it has lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional petroleum diesel. It also provides superior mechanical benefits and extends engine life.

Blue Ridge Biofuels is a community-based biodiesel manufacturer committed to building the local alternative energy economy by pro- ducing affordable clean fuels for communities in Western North Carolina and the greater Charlotte area through sustainable business practices that offer opportunities for community development, local jobs, and biofuel education.

About Us

Frequently Asked Questions

What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is the name of a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from plant oils or animal fats. The scientific name is fatty acid methyl ester (FAME).

Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in any compression-ignition (diesel) engine without the need for modifications.

Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and available here in Asheville, NC via Blue Ridge Biofuels. Biodiesel is rapidly gaining acceptance around the world, due in large part to its many health and environmental benefits when compared to regular diesel.

Biodiesel is not to be confused with burning pure vegetable oil in a diesel engine. This practice is known as SVO (straight vegetable oil) and does require modifications to the engine. There are also risks to your engine’s longevity by using SVO if it is not done correctly. Biodiesel is chemically modified vegetable oil that has characteristics superior to vegetable oil when used in diesel engines.

Can I use biodiesel in my existing diesel engine?

Yes! Any diesel engine can operate on Biodiesel with no modification to the engine. Older vehicles often must have their fuel lines changed from natural rubber to synthetic rubber hoses.

Using B20 (a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel) requires no precautions before use. If you want to use a blend higher than B20, such as B99.9, you will need to be aware of a few precautions before proceeding. B100 is compatible will ALL diesel engines as long a few precautions are taken.

More FAQs

We love utilizing a local fuel source for our work truck AND supporting a local company through the use of biodiesel and waste vegetable oil.

— Alan Myers-Davis, Living Roofs, Inc.

Buying diesel, I don’t know who it’s coming from but buying biodiesel makes me feel part of the community.

— Jamie Ager, Hickory Nut Gap Farms