Forum discussion
CS-2009 SSc4.3: Alternative Transportation—Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
The glossary definition of "alternative-fuel vehicles use low-polluting, non-gasoline fuels such as electricity, hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, methanol, and ethanol." Biodiesel is not on this list, but would it count as an alternative-fuel vehicle?
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Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11474 thumbs up
January 28, 2013 - 4:20 pm
Emily, biodiesel does have a place in some of the SSc4.3 credit requirements, but since any diesel vehicle can run on biodiesel, I think the definition maybe purposeful in not mentioning biodiesel. What credit requirement are you considering this in reference to?
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1299 thumbs up
January 28, 2013 - 5:52 pm
I think you would have to define the level of bio diesel. There is a point where the amount of bio oil does require engine modification and this may be something that qualifies. I doubt the GBCI would accept unmodified cars running on B5 to B20 blends as low emitting or alternative. Otherwise, how would you guarantee that the vehicle is always using the environmentally preferred fuel?
In DC, there are buses and vans that do run on bio diesel and have the engine modifications. Last time I checked, you couldn't easily get biodiesel beyon B5 blends in the area and the closest to you was at the Pentagon.
American University
SustainabilityAmerican University
56 thumbs up
January 29, 2013 - 11:39 am
I didn't realize I was posting in the Core & Shell system (sorry), but I guess this is applicable regardless. I'm just wondering because I'm conducting a LEED Green Associate exam prep class and the question came up as we realized biodiesel wasn't listed in the definition.
Here at American University we just started using a B20 blend in our shuttle buses and other diesel powered equipment so the question is relevant to us. You're right that we did nothing to alter the vehicles, but did go to great lengths over the course of almost a decade to add a biodiesel tank on campus and source the fuel.