As more businesses and event planners in Toronto look for cleaner fuel alternatives, two options keep coming up: biodiesel and green diesel. While they sound similar, they’re not the same—and choosing the right one can make a big difference for your equipment, emissions, and budget.
Here’s a breakdown of how these two fuels compare, and when each one makes sense.
What Is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils or animal fats using a chemical process called transesterification. It’s often used as a blend with regular diesel (like B20, which is 20% biodiesel, 80% diesel). You can use it in most diesel engines without modifications.
- Pros:
- Reduces emissions
- Made from renewable sources
- Widely available in Toronto
- Can be used in off-road and on-road equipment
- Cons:
- Can thicken in cold weather
- Slightly lower energy content than diesel
- May require more frequent filter changes
What Is Green Diesel?
Green diesel—also known as renewable diesel or hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)—is made from similar feedstocks (like vegetable oil), but it goes through a different refining process (hydrotreating) that results in a fuel chemically identical to petroleum diesel.
- Pros:
- Burns even cleaner than biodiesel
- Works in any diesel engine with no adjustments
- Performs better in cold weather
- Longer shelf life
- Cons:
- More expensive than biodiesel
- Not as widely available in Toronto yet
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Biodiesel | Green Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Production Process | Transesterification | Hydrotreatment |
| Compatibility | Diesel engines | Diesel engines |
| Cold Weather Performance | Moderate | Excellent |
| Emissions Reduction | High | Even higher |
| Availability in Toronto | High | Limited |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Which One Should You Choose?
- For commercial fleets or events: Biodiesel blends like B20 are a reliable, cost-effective way to lower emissions without changing equipment.
- For operations in colder environments or high-performance needs: Green diesel offers better cold weather reliability and cleaner combustion, if available.
- For sustainability goals: Both fuels are renewable and lower your carbon footprint.
Lambert Oil Can Help You Choose the Right Fuel
At Lambert Oil, we supply biodiesel across Toronto and help businesses transition to cleaner fuel solutions.
Whether you’re running generators for a summer festival or fueling a year-round commercial fleet, we’ll help you choose the best solution for your operation.
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