Biodiesel

Biodiesel

Vegetable oil is generated from sunlight and CO2 by plants. It is safer to use and store than gasoline or diesel as it has a higher flash point. Straight vegetable oil works in diesel engines if it is heated first. Vegetable oil can also be transesterified to make biodiesel which burns like normal diesel.

Pros:
Since CO2 is first taken out of the atmosphere to make the vegetable oil and then put back after it is burned in the engine, there is no net increase in CO2. So vegetable oil does not contribute to the problem of greenhouse gas.
It has a high flash point and is safer than most fuels.
Transitioning to vegetable oil could be relatively easy as biodiesel works where diesel works, and straight vegetable oil takes relatively minor modifications.
The World already produces more than 100 billion gallons a year for food industry, so we have experience making it.
Algaculture has the potential to produce far more vegetable oil per acre than current plants.
Infrastructure for biodiesel around the World is significant and growing.

Cons:
Current production methods would require enormous amounts of land to replace all gasoline and diesel.
Growth in vegetable oil production is already resulting in deforestation.
Converting forest land to vegetable oil production can result in a net increase in CO2.